A FINE LIMITED EDITION RECTANGULAR GOLD WRISTWATCH WITH SMALL SECONDS, Patek Philippe & Co., Genève, “PAGODA”, NO. 1852178, REF. 5500, CIRCA 1997

18k, nickel lever movement (Calibre 215) stamped with the seal of Geneva, gyromax balance, 18 jewels, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and five positions, free-sprung regulator, champagne-coloured dial with applied Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, blued-steel hands, rectangular case with concave sides and flared lugs, case, dial and movement signed, with an 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle.

Patek Philippe introduced a limited series of “Pagoda” watches in 1997, the first ever commemorative watch, to mark the inauguration of Patek Philippe’s new watchmaking centre in Geneva, 1100 in yellow gold, 500 in rose gold, 250 in white gold and 150 in platinum. Destruction of the tools and dies used for this manufacture ensures that Ref. 5500 can no longer produced. “Pagoda” was inspired by the “Eiffel Tower” watch designed from the 1950s.