Patek Philippe

• cal. R27 PS QR automatic lever movement stamped with the seal of Geneva, highly engraved and decorated with modified lotus bud motif and floral scrolls, 41 jewels, Gyromax balance, yellow gold decorated micro-rotor, minute repeating on two gongs • transparent dial, 4 subsidiary sapphire crystal display discs for day, month, leap years and small seconds with moon phases, retrograde hand with blue outer ring indicating the date, feuille hands set with translucent blue enamel  • platinum case, case band decorated with modified lotus bud motif, snap-on sapphire case back • case, dial and movement signed • with a platinum Patek Philippe buckle

Movement running at time of cataloguing, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time and may need service at the buyer's discretion. All functions work properly and repeat is correct. Case in overall very good condition with slight scuffing to the bezel and lugs. Very slight scratching to the lugs. Dial in excellent condition. Case back with several very light scratches. The strap of this watch contains endangered species; please see Important Notices for further information.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Accompanied by a white gold and emerald pusher, the original wooden presentation box, outer cardboard box, leather portfolio with product literature and image with outer cardboard box, and an Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on 24 November 2004. 

This unique and mesmerizing wristwatch carries the previously unrecorded reference number 5103, unknown to the public prior to this offering. Manufactured in 2004, it almost certainly served as the prototype for the 5104 which carries the same series of mechanical complications, yet was not introduced until 2007. The 5103 displays the true artistry of Patek Philippe, combining two of the most ingenious horological complications, that of minute repetition and perpetual calendar. Almost all perpetual calendar watches hide the intricate, precision engineered parts vital for their function under the dial upon which its mechanism will register the correct date – regardless of days in the month or leap years. The application of a perpetual calendar display to a transparent dial presents a number of difficulties, not least the design of calibrations which are legible yet unobtrusive. The most natural solution is the incorporation of crystal discs, yet these in themselves present issues for the watchmaker since fitting metal pinions to moving crystal discs is far from standard procedure. Naturally, such complexities are perfectly dealt with by the watchmakers at Patek Philippe. In order to ensure the text for the months, days and leap year are as unobtrusive as possible, these calibrations are rendered in white; a crystal disc, upon which a black ‘flag’ is printed, rotates behind these calibrations highlighting the relevant day, month and leap year. The date is presented in a retrograde arc on a blue ring at the edge of the dial. 

The unique platinum case features a band that is decoratively engraved with a modified lotus bud motif. The design of the watch gives an obvious nod to the ‘Sky-Moon’ tourbillon both through the layout of the dial and styling of the case. It seems highly likely that this watch acted as a prototype for the later, yet similar, reference 5104. The 5104, a very rare watch in itself, also featured perpetual calendar, transparent dial and minute repetition, however, it differed from the present unique Ref. 5103 in a number of ways. Most notably the case of the present wristwatch is entirely platinum, whereas the 5104 features pierced pink gold detailing to the case sides and lugs. The 5103’s lugs are flared in a similar style to that of the Sky-Moon and Celestial, rather than straight as in the case of the 5104. The back-plate of the 5103’s movement and rotor are highly decoratively engraved with a unique pattern, whereas the 5104 is decorated with Geneva stripes. A summary of the 5103’s unique characteristics as compared with the 5104 are detailed below:

• Flared lugs
• Full platinum case
• Uniquely engraved band to the case
• Unique and highly decoratively engraved movement back-plate and rotor
• The hands with fully open centers, each inset with translucent blue enamel

This horological masterpiece offers an extremely rare opportunity to own a unique, prototype Patek Philippe wristwatch with two of the most coveted complications, set within an extraordinary case with transparent dial.