Description

The Patek Philippe 5070 was launched at Baselworld 1998, initially in yellow gold, but with other metals following until the reference was discontinued in 2009. This model marked a milestone in the company’s history as the first “simple” chronograph since the vintage ref. 1463, over 30 years apart.

The watch showcased here is an extremely rare limited re-edition in white gold and salmon dial: reference 5070G-014, released for the brand’s 2015 Watch Art Grand Exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Only a handful are believed to have been made, cementing its status as a highly collectible item especially in such dial-case combination.

For the occasion, the regular production silver dial was replaced with a striking salmon dial beautifully complementing the white gold applied Arabic numerals and leaf-shaped hands. The dial is completed with a 30-minute register at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock, as well as a minute track and a tachymeter scale.

Upon closer look, one will notice some small differences from the standard 5070 production. Namely, a different font used for the brand logo and updated printing for the numerals, giving them a sharper look than the gilt printing on regular 5070s. The subdials’ numerals are also further away from the chapter rings. Finally, some digits such as ‘4’ and ‘0’ in the scale and minute track have been reworked, e.g. the zeros being shaped like a letter ‘O’ in the present edition.

Inside the 42 mm 18k white gold case is the manually wound Caliber CH 27-70, based on the Lemania 2310 but fully reworked and finished by Patek Philippe. Visible through the sapphire case-back, it interestingly bears the Geneva Seal. This is because the ref. 5070 London re-editions used new-old-stock movements, adding to their rarity and explaining the absence of the Patek Philippe Seal which came starting 2009.

Lately, salmon dial special editions have become so sought after among collectors that recent auction results have reached stratospheric heights.

Patek Philippe – Bio

Patek Philippe & Co. was founded in 1839, located in Geneva and the Vallée de Joux. It designs and manufactures timepieces and movements, including some of the most complicated mechanical watches. It is considered by many experts and aficionados to be one of the most prestigious watch manufacturers.
In 1868, Patek Philippe made their first wristwatch, which was sold on November 13, 1876 to the Hungarian Countess.
It is the last independent, family-owned Genevan watch manufacture with uninterrupted operating history spanning nearly 180 years.