Patek Philippe

The ref 5035 may be one of the sleeper watches to buy of our era, and it is just starting to attract the attention it deserves. As the groundbreaking first Annual Calendar wristwatch, released in 1996, this watch was central to Patek Philippe’s strategy of introducing ‘small complications’ in the late 1990s, opening the brand up to a new generation of collectors. The ref. 5035 was made in yellow, white, rose gold and platinum and can be generally divided into two series. The first series such as this example, and second series that started circa 2000 and wrapped up when the reference was discontinued in 2005. The first series is easily distinguishable by the seconds hand that has a flat end rather than pointed as we see in the second series. Also the logo font on the dial is slightly smaller with the first series. This example has a well preserved case and a dial that is nicely showing its age as the varnish darkens on portions.