Important Watches
Important Watches
Patek Philippe
Reference 5102 Celestial | A rare white gold astronomical wristwatch with sky chart, phases and orbit of the moon including time of meridial passage of Sirius moon, likely a pre-production model, Circa 2002 | 百達翡麗 5102 型號 Celestial | 罕有白金天文腕錶，備星體運行、月相及月球運行軌道，包括天狼星及月亮中天軌跡，可能為生產前模型，約2002年製
Auction Closed
June 15, 05:21 PM GMT
Estimate
200,000 - 300,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Patek Philippe
Reference 5102 Celestial
A rare white gold astronomical wristwatch with sky chart, phases and orbit of the moon including time of meridial passage of Sirius moon, likely a pre-production model, Circa 2002
百達翡麗 5102 型號 Celestial
罕有白金天文腕錶，備星體運行、月相及月球運行軌道，包括天狼星及月亮中天軌跡，可能為生產前模型，約2002年製
Dial: blue
Caliber: cal. ET 839 N°3 automatic, 48 jewels
Case: 18k white gold, screw-down sapphire crystal display back
Closure: 18k white gold Patek Philippe buckle
Size: 42 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Patek Philippe presentation case
Launched in 2002, the 'Celestial' (Ref. 5102) is one of the most important horological complications ever developed. Upon the watch’s dial, the wearer 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 Reference 5102's displays. This gives some sense of the tremendous challenges that the production of this highly complicated model posed to the company's watchmakers.
The present lot, circa 2001 is an extraordinarily early and rare example. Models which have returned to the market today are fitted with the caliber 240 LU CL. Meanwhile, the present lot is fitted with a highly unusual caliber numbered ET 839 N°3. According to our research, Patek Philippe’s research and development team used to mark their creations with a special code. These Studies or études (ET), were given individual codes that were engraved to their movements. The present lot is possibly the third example of a test series before the formal launch of the Reference 5102 in 2002. These ET engraved watches were likely never meant for commercial sale, making the appearance of this piece, fresh to the market, truly peculiar and remarkable.
Indeed, the story behind the present lot begins with a sensational heist at the Musée de l’horlogerie et émaillerie de Genève. In 2001, a temporary exhibition for the Grand Prix de l’horlogerie was held with a focus on complicated wristwatches across various brands. The first of two robberies at the museum took place in 2001, and this Patek Philippe Reference 5102 is believed to have been among the stolen pieces.
To the best of our knowledge, the present lot represents the first Etude model to ever come to market. Now, freely able to be offered, we are pleased and honored to present an unbelievable opportunity to acquire a prototype piece that was never commercialized by Patek Philippe.