Auctions - Christie's Geneva May watch sales results
On 11 May, the Important Watches sale totalled SFr. 15,492,975/ $16,447,342 / €14,738,467, selling 99% by value and 95% by lot. The top lot of the sale was a Patek Philippe, platinum double-dial Sky Moon Tourbillon wristwatch with twelve complications, Ref. 5002P, manufactured in 2006, which sold comfortably within its estimate for SFr.1,085,000 /$1,151,836 (lot 136).
The Christie's Geneva saleroom welcomed a total of 566 registrants in the room, on the telephone and via the internet.
Top Five lots
Patek Philippe
A platinum double dial Sky Moon Tourbillon
Ref. 5002P / manufactured 2006
Estimate: SFr. 800,000-1,300,000
Sold for SFR. 1,085,000
Patek Philippe
A platinum and diamond automatic wristwatch
Ref. 3700/031 / manufactured 1982
Estimate: SFr. 200,000-400,000
Sold for SFR. 845,000
Patek Philippe
A gold perpetual calendar wristwatch
Ref. 2499/100 / manufactured 1980
Estimate: SFr. 400,000-800.000
Sold for SFR. 650,600
Audemars Piguet
A large 18k gold minute repeating wristwatch
Ref. 5528 / sold in 1951
Estimate: SFr.150,000-250,000
Sold for: SFR. 605,000
PATEK PHILIPPE
Platinum perpetual calendar automatic wristwatch
Ref. 3448 / manufactured 1971
Estimate: SFr. 450,000-1,000,000
SOLD FOR: SFR. 545,000
Patek Philippe - Celebrating 175 years in style
Patek Philippe rendered the interior of its manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates unrecognisable even to those familiar with it last night as the brand pulled out all the stops to celebrate its 175th anniversary. Courtyards and gardens made way for a huge temporary indoor structure that housed a lounge area, bars and even a temporary exhibition that included a breathtaking 3D immersion into the movement of its new star piece : The GrandMaster Chime.
In what is, perhaps, a tongue-in-cheek dig at Apple's much-hyped timepiece, Patek Philippe refers to the Grandmaster Chime (reference 5175 for the Patek purists) as an "intelligent watch". For the brand's master watchmakers, however, intelligence in this case meant developing isolators to ensure that certain functions are blocked to avoid damaging the movement while others are in operation, and meticulously hand engraving the names of the functions on the respective pushers.
The sheer magnitude of the new collection, whose star model alone accounted for 100,000 hours of development, production and assembly (4167 days, or 595 weeks, or a mind-boggling 11 years of cumulative work, to save you the counting), is enough to keep even the most die-hard and demanding watch fans salivating for weeks to come. We will indeed be returning to all the new models in detail over the coming days on WorldTempus.
But back to the superlatives for the Grandmaster Chime : 1,366 individual components in the movement and 214 for each pivoting case, which has an astonishingly reasonable 47mm diameter for a wristwatch with a dial on either side and, among its 20 complications, two "striking" functions that have never before been seen in a wristwatch : a striking alarm and a new, patented, striking date.
Our contributor David Chokron will come back to these radical new features, as well as the 18 other complications, just as soon as he has had time to digest the many functions of this new piece. WorldTempus will also take a closer look, of course, into the other new timepieces presented for Patek Philippe's 175th anniversary, for which names for once take priority over reference numbers (to the delight of those with dyscalculia).
Look out for more details, therefore, on the beautifully engraved dial of the Chiming Jumping Hour (ref. 5275) the World Time Moon (ref. 5575 and 7175) and the Multi-Scale Chronographs (ref. 5975 and 4675) plus a whole series of watches that show off the brand's rare handcraft capabilities.
Patek Philippe - Split-seconds chronograph with QP
Traditionally, Patek Philippe's classic chronographs can be assigned to one of three categories: simple chronographs, simple chronographs with perpetual calendars, and split-seconds chronographs with perpetual calendars. This tradition has been upheld with the CH 29-535 PS proprietary caliber that was launched in 2009 in a basic configuration that would later allow the addition of a calendar module and a split-seconds mechanism. The Ref. 5170 presented in 2010 and the Ref. 5270 introduced in 2011 are now joined by the new Patek Philippe split-seconds chronograph Ref. 5204 with an all-new caliber developed in-house: the CHR 29-535 PS Q.
Two years ago, connoisseurs and collectors already began to speculate that Patek Philippe's coveted Ref. 5004 split-seconds chronograph in a classic manually wound design with a column wheel and a horizontal clutch, as well as a perpetual calendar, would some day be superseded by a new split-seconds chronograph based on the manufacture's proprietary CH 29-535 PS caliber. But even experts were surprised how quickly the suite of in-house chronograph versions was completed. The intention behind the annual flow was to present a complete line of chronograph models based on the new proprietary movement as soon as possible, an initiative that yet again demonstrates the competence of the independent, family-owned manufacture. The ambitious project has now been completed.
Straight from the source: eight in-house chronograph movements in record time.
For decades, Patek Philippe's emphasis has been on crafting its movements in-house and endowing them with the manufacture's inimitable signature. But for a long time, there was an exception to this rule: Until the CH 29-535 PS chronograph caliber was launched, Patek Philippe classic chronographs were powered by the 27-70 caliber. It was outsourced from Nouvelle Lemania but in a modified version built to the manufacture's specifications and crafted exclusively for Patek Philippe. The caliber was always assembled and completed in Geneva, and in the opinion of many aficionados, it was the world's best and most beautiful chronograph movement.
This was the benchmark to be eclipsed in the new millennium with the launch of a unique chronograph initiative that subsequently culminated in 2005 with the development of the CHR 27-525 PS, the world's thinnest, split-seconds chronograph; in 2006, with the self-winding CH 28-520 IRM QA 24H chronograph caliber with an Annual Calendar; and in 2009, with the manually wound, column-wheel-controlled CH 29-535 PS chronograph with a horizontal clutch. The mission was accomplished, as evidenced by the applause from every corner of the horological world. This paved the way for enriching the classic
chronograph series with different degrees of complexity based on proprietary calibers. Together with the three Patek Philippe basic chronograph calibers and the chronograph module for the Triple Complication Ref. 5208, eight chronograph movements were launched in merely seven years.
These eight chronograph calibers belong to the current portfolio of over 50 movements developed and crafted in-house. It includes 17 basic calibers for wristwatches with a broad repertoire of simple manually wound and self-winding movements, calibers with tourbillons, perpetual calendars, the Annual Calendar, minute repeaters, and astronomical functions, etc.
Ref. 5204: Innovation rooted in tradition
The new Patek Philippe split-seconds chronograph with perpetual calendar features all the traditional assets that impress true connoisseurs - manual winding, two column wheels, horizontal clutch - yet it is also the most modern representative of its category. This is due on the one hand to the CH 29-535 PS basic caliber whose six patented innovations are summarized in Annex 2, and on the other, to the perpetual calendar presented to the world in 2011 with the launch of the Ref. 5270. Accordingly, the new CHR 29-535 PS Q split-seconds chronograph caliber also beats at a frequency of 28,800 vps (4 Hz), features an instantaneous 30-minute counter and a continuous seconds subdial, and has a power reserve of 65 hours. But the splitseconds mechanism was totally reworked and updated with two technical innovations: an innovative isolator for the split-seconds lever and the patent-pending mechanism that optimizes the congruent alignment of the split-seconds hand and the chronograph hand.
1. Isolator for the split-seconds lever
The isolator for the split-seconds lever uncouples the split-seconds wheel from the chronograph wheel as soon as the split-seconds hand is stopped to display a lap time. Because this interrupts the contact between the split-seconds lever and its heart cam, the stopped split-seconds wheel cannot influence the amplitude of the balance.
The polished column-wheel cap is a venerable Patek Philippe tradition. In the new CH 29-535 PS basic chronograph caliber, the column-wheel cap handles the extra function of an eccentric that allows incomparably finer adjustments. With the integrated swan's neck that serves as an isolator spring, the cap on the split-seconds column wheel has now been given an additional function as well.
2. Mechanism for reducing the offset between the split-seconds and chronograph hands
Split-seconds chronographs have two sweep hands: the chronograph hand (trotteuse) and the split-seconds (rattrapante) hand. The split-seconds wheel with the split-seconds hand rotates together with the chronograph wheel to which the chronograph hand is attached; both wheels are connected with the splitseconds heart cam that is mounted on the chronograph wheel. As is the case in all mechanical connections, the ruby roller of the split-seconds lever requires a minimal amount of play to function flawlessly. However, this play can also result in slight deviations of the position of the split-seconds hand when both hands should be precisely superposed. As a rule, this is concealed by making the chronograph hand slightly wider. As such, this would not be a serious shortcoming, but then again, it is at odds with Patek Philippe's quest for perfection. For this reason, the workshops' caliber engineers developed an innovative solution for which a patent application has been filed.
When the split-seconds hand is stopped to display a lap time, the contact between the split-seconds wheel and the split-seconds heart is interrupted because the split-seconds lever is isolated (see isolator). As soon as the split-seconds hand rejoins the chronograph hand, the ruby roller (M) of the split-seconds lever (E) rolls along the contour of the split-seconds heart cam (K) until it slips into a recess that defines the congruent position of the chronograph and split-seconds hands. Because of the mechanical play and movable ruby roller, this position may vary slightly and result in minimal superposition offsets. In the new Patek Philippe solution, the spring-loaded split-seconds lever has two flat contact surfaces (N) on either side of the ruby roller and the recess of the split-seconds heart cam has two flat shoulder zones. As soon as the ruby roller drops into the recess, the flat contact surfaces of the split-seconds lever come to rest against the flat shoulders of the split-seconds heart cam. For this reason, the alignment of the split-seconds hand is defined by the stable contact surfaces (N) and no longer by the movable ruby roller. This solution improves the positional congruence of the split-seconds wheel relative to the chronograph wheel by 75%. The result is the highly enhanced superposition of the split-seconds hand and the chronograph hand when the chronograph is in the start position or when the split-seconds clamp is released.
The new split-seconds isolator mechanism consists of 42 parts and with a height of 1.7 mm, it is 0.16 mm thinner than the isolator ensemble of the Ref. 5004. The height of the new Ref. 5204 movement is 8.70 mm compared with 8.86 mm for the movement of the Ref. 5004.
A calendar for eternity
The perpetual calendar mechanism of the new classic Patek Philippe split-seconds chronograph was presented in 2011 with the debut of Ref. 5270. It is composed of 182 individual parts and occupies 1.65 mm of the overall movement height of 8.70 mm. This testifies to the manufacture's competence in dealing with complex components such as large levers, date wheels, day and month stars, leap-year cams, lever springs, and other intricate parts. In Patek Philippe timepieces, the appeal of such components lies not only in the precision with which they were crafted but also in the lavish finishing work invested in them, such as gently concaved and polished chamfers, manually satin-finished flanks, and straight-grained surfaces. The steel wheels and pinions are also meticulously finished: all teeth and leaves are individually polished by hand using a rotating hardwood disk. This work is done not just for the sake of beauty. Smoothly polished surfaces generate less friction, reduce wear, and transmit kinetic energy more efficiently.
Complexity within, order and clarity on the dial.
Despite the complexity of the elaborate going train, the split-seconds chronograph, and the perpetual calendar, the well-organized dial presents the twelve separate indications with exemplary clarity and legibility. It features the typical face of classic Patek Philippe calendar chronographs as did the Ref. 5270, only this time with the addition of a split-seconds hand. True to tradition, the day of the week and the month are displayed in two in-line apertures beneath 12 o'clock. The analog date dial at 6 o'clock incorporates the moon phase display. The continuous subsidiary seconds and the jumping 30-minute chronograph counter are located at 9 and 3 o'clock, respectively, in dials whose centers are shifted slightly below the horizontal centerline of the main dial. This layout is a typical design feature of the movement. The small round aperture between 4 and 5 o'clock indicates the leap-year cycle, and a second one between 7 and 8 o'clock accommodates the day/night indicator that simplifies corrections of the calendar functions. The silvery opaline dial is crafted from 18K gold; it has twelve applied baton hour markers in white gold with luminescent fillings. Together with the black-oxidized gold hour and minute hands, also with Superluminova fillings, the markers assure outstanding legibility in the dark. The intelligently configured dial sets the stage for one of the most popular and useful functions of a grand complication wristwatch.
A stylish platinum case for the top model
As the apotheosis of Patek Philippe's classic chronograph trilogy, the new Ref. 5204 is housed in a platinum case with a diameter of 40 mm and a height of 14.19 mm. The sleek, round, three-part case with straight lugs has a cambered crystal secured in a concave bezel; the sapphire-crystal display back can be replaced with a solid-platinum case back that is delivered with the watch. Because it is exceptionally tough and difficult to machine, platinum always challenges the skills of casemakers, imposing considerably more stress on the tooling than other classic case materials such as gold and steel. But in return for the hard work involved, it stands out with an incomparably cool silvery gloss and a physical mass that underscores the class of this timepiece in a very palpable way. As with all of the manufacture's platinum watches, the case is marked with a flawless Top Wesselton diamond discreetly set between the lugs at 6 o'clock, where it is noticed only by the wearer. The round start and stop pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock, and of course the pusher in the crown that controls the split-seconds hand, distinguish this model from simple chronographs with perpetual calendars. The new Ref. 5204 split-seconds chronograph with perpetual calendar is crafted with all meticulous attention to detail mandated by the directives of the Patek Philippe Seal. It is worn on a handstitched, matt black alligator strap with square scales, and secured with a very comfortable and convenient platinum fold-over clasp.
[Rating: 5 / 5 stars]
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