Lot 137

Patek Philippe

Perpetual Calendar Moonphase Grand Complication

An extremely rare Geneva wristwatch in near mint condition, with perpetual calendar, retrograde date and moon phase - with original box and integrated watchwinder, Patek Philippe leather wallet, original certificate, operating instructions and brochures

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Reference 5159 was launched in 2007 as an updated version of its predecessor reference 5050; it came with a new dial layout and an enlarged case in the style of Patek Philippe’s traditional officer’s watches. The case is larger by 2 mm, which gives the timepiece a much stronger presence on the wrist. The slightly extended Roman hours appear larger and slimmer, likewise the Arabic numerals of the retrograde date display with flyback hand. The central area is decorated with a guilloche stripe pattern and exudes a gentle lustre. The cool, elegant indications for day of the week, month and leap year are displayed in three windows, while the moonphase is revealed in a curved aperture at 6 o’clock.
The sapphire crystal back is protected by a hinged, 18K solid white gold cover, fully in the tradition of Patek Philippe’s officer’s watches. The lid opens to reveal the complicated manufactory movement with Geneva seal and the heavy 21K gold rotor. The movement calculates the individual lengths of the months as well as the leap years through a complex system of rockers and cams; the retrograde date is another ingenious complication because the date indication does not complete a full circle but moves according to the length of the month in an arc of up to 270 degrees and then jumps back to the first day of the next month. During the flyback, the hand is disconnected from the gear and immediately secured on the numeral 1, so that it cannot accidentally rebound forward by a day or two.