Patek Philippe

• cal. 240/165 automatic rhodium plated lever movement stamped with the Geneva seal, Gyromax balance, 45 jewels, 22k gold mini-rotor engraved with the Calatrava cross • inner blue bezel with silvered Roman numerals, the sapphire crystal glass with silvered ellipse framing the visible sky (marked out with the cardinal points), planisphere of the Northern Hemisphere rotates counter-clockwise above the dial, skeletonized white-lacquered feuille hands • titanium case, case band finely decorated with halved Calatrava crosses, crown at 2 o'clock to for time setting, crown at 4 o'clock for adjusting the planisphere by turning to one direction and in the other direction to correct the angular position and moon-phases, screw-down sapphire crystal case back • case, sapphire crystal disc and movement signed • with a titanium Patek Philippe buckle

Accompanied by the original wooden presentation box, outer cardboard box, leather portfolio with technical specifications including the original Certificate of Origin, instruction manual and product literature with outer cardboard box, Patek Philippe original delivery coffin box and an Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on 24 November 2004.

This magnificent wristwatch previously unrecorded is the only example of the Patek Philippe Celestial, Ref. 5102, known to have been made in titanium. The rich and deep matte grey tone of the watch’s case provides an electrifying contrast to the vibrant blue and gold of the sky chart. This combination, together with the lightness of the metal, provides a dramatically different look and feel to the model and allows an entirely novel appreciation of this extraordinary reference. The design of the Celestial 5102T closely matches that of the standard 5102, however, the lugs are noticeably thicker by comparison and have additional screw settings to their underside.

Production of Reference 5102 began in 2002 and ceased in 2012. The present watch was manufactured in 2003 and sold on November 24^th, 2004. The ‘Sky Chart’ found on the ‘Celestial’ Ref.5102 and ‘Sky-Moon’ Ref.5002 is one of the most spectacular horological complications ever developed. Upon the watch’s dial, the owner can gaze at a rendition of the northern hemisphere’s sky. The ‘sky’ rotates counter-clockwise, showing the progression of stars relative to the meridian passage of Sirius. Simultaneously, the meridian passage and phases of the moon can be seen.

25 trillion (25,000,000,000,000) ratio combinations were researched by Patek Philippe to determine the greatest accuracy for all the Sky Chart’s displays. This gives some sense of the tremendous challenges that its production posed to the company’s watchmakers. Using a highly sophisticated automatic movement (calibre 240 LU CL), the movement uses 301 individual parts that are meticulously hand-finished in the workshops of Patek Philippe. Three sapphire crystal discs are used to simulate the orbit of the moon and the passage of the stars, giving a tremendous sense of depth. For this important invention, Patek Philippe were awarded a Swiss Patent for the base calibre (CH 688 171 B5).

Following the reference 5102 was the reference 6102, introduced in 2012. The 6102 has a redesigned case and included a date complication to the Celestial line.

This watch almost certainly presents a unique opportunity to own a titanium version of one of Patek Philippe’s most visually and technically impressive wristwatches.