Patek Philippe

• cal. R TO 27 QR SID LU CL double dial manual winding movement ,stamped with the Geneva Seal, 55 jewels, one minute tourbillon, two polished hammers minute repeating on two extra-long steel alloy 'Cathedral' gongs, revolving governor with pierced and engraved bridge in the form of a Calatrava cross
• opaline white front dial with embossed Patek Philippe Calatrava cross motif, applied rose gold Roman numerals, chemin-de-fer minute ring, 4 subsidiary dials indicating day of week, month, leap year cycle and ages of the moon displayed in pink gold, retrograde date display in red enamel, reverse dial of sapphire crystal glass with celestial map, outer ring with pink gold 24-hour Arabic numeral scale for sidereal time, cardinal points framing the rotating sky chart of Northern Hemisphere and display of angular motion of moon and its phases • 18k pink gold case with two polished bezels, screw-set down-turned lugs, case band and minute repeating slide finely engraved with halved Calatrava crosses, two crowns both embossed with a Calatrava cross for winding and setting, four small recessed buttons for correction of the front dial displays • case, dial and movement signed • with an 18k pink gold Patek Philippe buckle

The movement in working condition at the time of cataloguing. Minute repeating is in phase and chimes beautifully. The date and day advances when the hands are past midnight, quick set button at 12 or through the crown, the date retrograde hand flyback to 1 smoothly. Month and leap year quick set functions well between 3-4. Day quick set at 6-7. Moon age quick set at 5-6. It was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement. The two-sided dial is in very good condition. Celestial dial and moon motion layers are very beautiful and nicely rotated well from the crown. Case in very good condition with no visible sign of wear. Overall in excellent condition.
"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."

Accompanied by a Patek Philippe special leather folder containing the Certificate of Origin, Rate Accuracy Certificate and Instruction Manual. Further accompanied by a pink gold setting pin, a presentation box and black Patek Philippe leather strap. 

Widely accepted as the most important wristwatch manufactured this century, the Sky Moon Tourbillon, ref.5002 was launched in 2001 as Patek Philippe’s most complicated wristwatch and the first by the company to feature a double dial.

Inspired by the Star Calibre 2000 pocket watch featuring a complex sky-chart, Patek Philippe were able to miniaturize the concept to fit into a wristwatch. It is reported only 2 examples are manufactured each year. Such is the complexity of the 686 parts movement, including a tourbillon adjusted to run within a high precision rate of -2/+1 seconds maximum daily variation.  

Bearing twelve complications in this double-dial mechanical wonder, ref. 5002 is the first most complicated wristwatch that Patek Philippe has ever produced.  With all the astronomical indications including retrograde perpetual calendar with moon phases indication, indication for the meridian passage of Sirius (the brightest star in the sky), age and agular motion of the moon and sidereal time, celestial chart of the northern hemisphere, horizon ellipse, the ref. 5002 represents the human civilization by understanding the relationship between earth and the universe.

The Cathedral minute repeating mechanism is twice as long as classical gongs, which produces a richer sound and longer reverberation. Historically, the gong production needs years of dedication and expertise in order to have the gong circle the movement twice accurately that it does not touch other parts.

Reserved only for their most important clients after meeting stringent qualifying requirements, suitable applicants must first pass an interview prior to being entered on to the extensive waiting list. When the ref. 5002 was launched in 2001, at that time, a 43.5 mm diameter case was considered ‘massive’ and the possibility of a watch consisting of 12 complications was unthinkable, yet as technology and horology has evolved, over a decade later, the Skymoon still stands out as one of the greatest wristwatch manufactured in the 21^st century.