Patek Philippe

The Patek Philippe reference 5004 has earned its place among the greatest neo-vintage collectibles. Featuring a split-seconds chronograph that enables simultaneous timing, it was the first serially produced Patek Philippe perpetual calendar to incorporate this remarkable complication. A triumph of technical mastery, the addition of the split-seconds mechanism to the already complex perpetual calendar chronograph made the model extraordinarily challenging to produce, resulting in only a limited number of pieces being delivered each year. Powered by the Nouvelle Lemania-based calibre visible through its sapphire crystal case back, the reference was produced over a 16-year period, from 1994 to 2010, in a range of metals including pink, yellow, and white gold, platinum, and stainless steel.

Perfectly balanced at 36.5 mm in diameter, the 5004 follows the design lineage of Patek Philippe’s great perpetual calendar chronographs—the references 3970, 2499, and 1518—yet distinguishes itself with a slightly thicker and more robust stepped case to accommodate the split-seconds function, lending it a subtly modern presence on the wrist. With its oversized crown at 3 o’clock and refined silver dial with applied Arabic numerals, the present platinum example exudes a harmonious blend of simplicity, contemporary design, and timeless tradition.