A month away from its official release and after placing our order on the Patek.com website, last Friday we received our very own copy of the most definitive and the only authorized Patek Philippe biography. A must have and a must read, this book exceeded our expectations as soon as we opened the shipping container that came all the way from the U.K as the book was carefully packed inside a second white box with the Patek Philippe logo and the words 'The Authorized Biography' on the front. With our Golden Ellipse ref. 3738 on our wrist and a warm coffee by our desk, we first removed the cellophane wrap from the white box and then proceeded to take the book out.
Posts filed under Patek Philippe
Rare Bird: Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 2526 for Gübelin. The First Automatic Reference from Patek with a Price Tag of $632 USD Back in 1955.
Not often one runs into the legendary Patek Philippe ref. 2526 and even less often, you run into a reference 2526 with a dial signed for Swiss retailer Gübelin —one of the oldest retailers in Switzerland founded in 1854. The Patek Philippe ref. 2526 was the first automatic wristwatch launched by Patek and introduced to the market in 1953. Fitted with the Patek Philippe 30-jewel automatic calibre 12-600 AT —Patek's first automatic movement— it is by many considered to be the most beautiful automatic movement made by any watch company and one that remains hidden under the solid case back of the reference 2526.
Breaking News: Patek Philippe ref. 1518 in Stainless Steel Sells for $11 Million USD at the Phillips Watches Auction FOUR in Geneva
Breaking all records ever set at auction for a wristwatch, the ultra rare and legendary Patek Philippe ref. 1518 in stainless steel just sold today November 12th, 2016 for CHF9.6 Million Swiss Francs plus 12% buyer's premium —totaling CHF10,752,000 Swiss Francs, roughly $11 Million USD— at the Phillips Auction FOUR at the Hôtel La Réserve in Genève. What makes the Patek Philippe ref. 1518 so special, is the fact that it is the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph produced in series and only 281 examples of it were ever produced.
Watch Goodies: Patek Philippe 'The Authorized Biography'. The Definitive History of the Legendary Swiss Manufacture, A Must Read.
A must have and a must read. Patek Philippe: The Authorized Biography is the definitive history of the legendary Swiss manufacture written by Nicholas Foulkes, an acclaimed specialist in art and horology. Spanning over 500 pages and more than 600 images, this work describes the evolution of the independent Genevan manufacture from its beginnings in 1839 to the present.
Insider: Patek Philippe ref. 1518 in Stainless Steel to be Auctioned at the Phillips Auction FOUR. Hands-on with the 'Once in a Lifetime Opportunity' Timepiece.
A few weeks ago we brought you the news about the upcoming Phillips Auction FOUR Taking place on November 12th and 13th of this year at Hôtel La Réserve in Genève. Today, we bring you our special coverage with our usual live pictures of three lots that for sure will be record-breaking. These three exceptional Patek Philippe ref. 1518 Perpetual Calendar Chronographs in stainless steel, rose gold and yellow gold are unlike any other watches we've seen at auction lately.
Insider: Patek Philippe Grand Complication Minute Repeater ref. 5078. Hands-on with the Black Lacquered Dial and White Enamel Dial References.
The Patek Philippe Grand Complication Minute Repeater ref. 5078 is one of the most elegant and simple looking minute repeaters; however, at its core, a double-gong chiming mechanism marks the hours, quarter hours and the minutes. Only available in platinum or 18K rose gold, the Patek ref. 5078 is as good as it gets.
News: Patek Philippe Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Nautilus with two Limited Edition References. All Details and Pricing Here.
In 2016, Patek Philippe is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its casually elegant Nautilus collection. For many aficionados and connoisseurs of classic watchmaking artistry, this is a memorable occasion as well. A look back to 1976 not only shows how quickly and dramatically the world has changed since then but also illustrates how well the Nautilus has stayed its course across four decades in terms of design, dependability, and popularity. With two limited edition Nautilus 40th Anniversary models, the manufacture manifests its ability to keep pace with the times while preserving the key facets of a legend.
News: Presenting the 40th Anniversary Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph ref. 5976G. A Limited Edition of 1,300 Pieces and the Biggest Nautilus Ever at 44 mm.
To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Patek has decided to release two limited edition pieces for the occasion. The first one is the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711P/1P 40th Anniversary Edition in a limited edition of 700 pieces that we featured here and the second one is the Nautilus 5976/1G Chronograph 40th Anniversary Edition in a limited edition of 1,300 pieces.
News: Presenting the 40th Anniversary Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711P/1P in Platinum. A Limited Edition of 700 Pieces.
To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Patek has decided to release two limited edition pieces for the occasion. The first one is the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711P/1P 40th Anniversary Edition in a limited edition of 700 pieces and the second one is the Nautilus 5976/1G Chronograph 40th Anniversary Edition in a limited edition of 1,300 pieces.
Insider: Patek Philippe Grand Complication ref. 5208P. Hands-on with the Reference that Mr. Thierry Stern President of Patek Wears.
The very first time we ever ran into a Patek Philippe Grand Complication ref. 5208P was at the 175th anniversary party of Patek Philippe at the Rainbow Room in New York City. You can read our special feature here. That same night is when we spotted this Grand Complication on the wrist of Mr. Thierry Stern —President of Patek Philippe— and luckily for us, this was a 'once in a lifetime' type of opportunity where we were able to snap an epic wristshot with him.
Insider: Patek Philippe Annual Calendar ref. 5396G-014. Hands-on with a Timeless and Perfectly Designed Timepiece.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their patented Annual Calendar, Patek Philippe released a new model during Baselworld 2016 earlier this year. The new Patek Philippe Annual Calendar ref. 5396G-014 is now offered in a subtly reworked and refined version that logically complements the 21 previous models that have been presented since 1996, not to mention the eclectic gold and platinum variations with different dial designs.
Rare Bird: Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 3820 with Breguet Numerals. One of the Most Beautiful Time Only Watches Out There.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 3820 is one of the most iconic 'time only' watches out there and simply one of the best dress watches any one can have. The Patek ref. 3820 featuring applied Breguet numerals is even more special and a watch reserved for those wanting the best. The first Patek Philippe Calatrava was released in 1932 as ref. 96 and since then, its been one of the most iconic and classic watches from Patek with very little changes and always true to the essence of the brand.
Insider: Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5960/1A. Exceptional is an Understatement.
Today, we bring you our hands-on review of the exceptional Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5960/1A. When the ref. 5960P was first launched in 2006, this reference won instant acclaim. It was the manufacture's first self-winding chronograph, manifested a new and unique style with its prominent monocounter and three large calendar apertures, and quickly established itself as one of the most coveted timepieces of the Patek Philippe portfolio. The success story continued with further versions in rose gold. Now, the letter 'A' in the model designation 5960/1A —which stands for 'acier', steel in French—, announces a paradigm change. The Annual Calendar Chronograph in stainless steel is not only the latest sibling of its lineage but had also replaced the gold and platinum versions.
Insider: Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time ref. 5164A-001. Hands-on with a Travel Companion Perfectly Suited for Summer Adventures.
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time ref. 5164/1A-001 is for sure one of our favorite Aquanauts and one that is definitely worth reviewing hands-on. The Patek ref. 5164 is fitted with a very similar movement as the Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5990 —we reviewed here—, but without the 60-minute chronograph complication. Regardless, this model in the Aquanaut collection, brings the best from Patek Philippe to the table. The Aquanaut Travel Time ref. 5164 is available in stainless steel or in 18K rose gold —launched earlier this year and reviewed by us here.
Insider: Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5712. One of the Most Iconic Nautilus Models.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5712/1A-001 in stainless steel, is one of the most iconic Nautilus models as it was originally released as ref. 3712/1A in 2005 and produced for less than a year. Fitted with a date indicator, moon phases and a power reserve indicator, this reference is simply awesome. The Nautilus ref. 5712 stays true to the design cues of the original Nautilus ref. 3700 and its predecessor ref. 3712. The Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5712 is available in 18K white gold and 18K rose gold on crocodile strap and in stainless steel with matching stainless steel bracelet like the one we have here.
News: Patek Philippe ref. 530 Oversize Chronograph from 1942 Sells for 680,000 Swiss Francs at the Phillips Watch Auction
Another one of our picks and a favorite at the Phillips Watches Auction in Geneva, Lot 69 a rare and stunning Patek Philippe ref. 530 Oversize Chronograph from 1942 just sold for CHF 680,000 Swiss Francs. With an original estimate of 500,000-1,000,000 Swiss Francs, this safe queen is another one of the most expensive Patek Philippe wristwatches ever sold at auction.
Rare Bird: Patek Philippe Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar ref. 3974R. One of the Most Legendary Minute Repeaters in the World.
There are special watches and then there's this ultra rare and legendary Patek Philippe Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar ref. 3974R in 18K rose gold. This is for sure, one of the most coveted minute repeaters in the world and one that was only produced in very small quantities by Patek Philippe between 1989 and 2000. Released in 1989 to mark the 150th anniversary of Patek Philippe and the relaunch of their wrist minute repeater, the reference 3974 brings two of the most noble horological complications to the table: a minute repeater and a perpetual calendar.
Baselworld 2016: Presenting the new Patek Philippe World Time Chronograph ref. 5930G-001. Hands-on Review, Live Pictures & Pricing.
Without a doubt the star at Baselworld 2016, the new Patek Philippe ref. 5930G World Time Chronograph, joins the ranks of one of the most fascinating horological complications ever created by Patek Philippe. Encased in a 39.5 mm white gold case with a striking blue opaline dial and blue leather strap, the new Patek Philippe World Time Chronograph ref. 5930G is not only extremely beautiful but also perfectly functional.
Baselworld 2016: Presenting the new Patek Philippe ref. 5204R in Rose Gold. Hands-on Review, Live Pictures & Pricing.
The exceptional Patek Philippe ref. 5204 Split Seconds Chronograph Perpetual Calendar was only available in platinum up until now. This amazing watch that we like to refer to as 'what watch dreams are made of' was just released at Baselworld 2016 also in 18K rose gold. Featuring a silvery opaline dial, with gold applied hour markers with luminescent coating over an 18K gold dial plate, the new Patek Philippe ref. 5204R needs very little introduction. The grail of all grails is now also available in that stunning rose gold we all like.
Baselworld 2016: Presenting the new Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar ref. 5327G-001. Hands-on Review, Live Pictures & Pricing.
Perhaps one of the most stunning Perpetual Calendars out there was released by Patek Philippe today at Baselworld 2016. The new Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar ref. 5327G-001featuring an ultra-thin automatic movement is fitted with a 39 mm 18K white gold case, a royal blue sunburst dial and a shiny navy blue alligator strap with pin buckle.
