Patek Philippe

The Patek Philippe 5970 stands not only as one of the brand’s most iconic pieces, but also one of the most iconic pieces in collective watchmaking history. The 5970’s humble beginning goes back to the 1930s. Despite Patek Philippe’s already well-established name, the company, like most else, was certainly not immune to the grave effects of the Great Depression. Saving the brand from its demise was none other than the Stern family, and in particular, Philippe Stern.

Philippe Stern served as a long-time anchor for Patek Philippe but with time, as goes the inner workings of any family business, Stern saw it time to hand over the reins. So in 2009, Thierry Stern, Philippe’s son, was inducted into the company’s leadership with one of his first major tasks on board being the launch of the 5970. Understanding that the handover meant the end of one era and the beginning of another, young Stern sought to bridge the gap between his father’s generation and his own, to create a timepiece that would catch the eye and heart of collectors both old and new.

In consideration of these necessary preconditions, the launch of the 5970 featured some modern revamps to its ever-classic, essentially flawless predecessor: the 3970. The overarching aim of this project in the eyes of Thierry Stern was not to entirely reinvent the watch and the brand, but rather to incorporate history into revolution. Thus, his mission was to reimagine the celebrated perpetual chronograph with a modern feel. Differing from its predecessor, the 5970 sported a 40 mm case diameter - a size increase of 4 mm, thus making it the largest perpetual chronograph produced by Patek Philippe at the time.

The 5970 is, in essence, a perfect culmination of both vintage and modern horological design. The series’ ability to appeal to collectors of the past, present, and undoubtedly those of the future illustrates Patek Philippe's leading role in the market.