Patek Philippe Gondolo 5033P-001

The Collectibles PATEK PHILIPPE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATINUM TONNEAU-SHAPED LIMITED EDITION AUTOMATIC “CATHEDRAL” MINUTE REPEATING ANNUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH GONDOLO MODEL, REF. 5033P-001, MOVEMENT NO. 1’904’499, CASE NO. 4’188’488

PATEK PHILIPPE. AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATINUM TONNEAU-SHAPED LIMITED EDITION AUTOMATIC “CATHEDRAL” MINUTE REPEATING ANNUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH GONDOLO MODEL, REF. 5033P-001, MOVEMENT NO. 1’904’499, CASE NO. 4’188’488 Movement: Automatic Dial: Silvered, with elongated Roman numerals Case: 38 x 51 mm. (W x L) With: Platinum Patek Philippe buckle, additional solid case back and sales tag Remark: Fresh to the market; the present watch is from a special order series ref. 5033P-001 with Roman numerals limited to 10 pieces Note: Please note that Christie’s has applied for an “Extract from the Archives” from Patek Philippe Archives but the Extract has not yet been issued and may not be available by the date of the auction. The lot is sold “as is” without any Extract and Christie’s does not guarantee Patek Philippe Archives will issue the Extract. The present “Grand Complication” is from the special order series ref. 5033P-001 with Roman numerals to appear in public to date, impressively demonstrating its extreme rarity. It is preserved in excellent overall condition and represents the scarce opportunity of acquiring one of the only 10 examples of this particular model ever made. Ref. 5033P-001 Launched in 2002 as a special order of only 10 watches in platinum and 1 in titanium it is Patek Philippe’s first “Grande Complication” wristwatch combining a minute repeating and the patented annual calendar mechanism. The watches are distinguished by the specially made two-tone silvered dials with engine-turned centre and the elongated black Roman numerals. Its celebrated calibre R27 PS QA, one of the firm’s most complex movements, comprises 483 individual parts and incorporates the "Cathedral" repeating mechanism, consisting of a high-tone and a low-tone gong. The length of the gong in a standard repeating mechanism corresponds to almost precisely one turn in the movement whereas those of the "Cathedral" mechanism exceed the case circumference by at least one and a half, even two turns. Consequently, a much richer and fuller timbre is achieved, resembling the chime of the bells of a cathedral. Patek Philippe’s annual calendar mechanism, patented in 1996, requires to be adjusted only once a year, on 1st March. The combination of rarity, finest craftsmanship and the elegant minimalist understatement design render this ref. 5033P-001 a fine trophy for the collector of exceptional timepieces.