Patek Philippe
Reference 5070J-001 | A yellow gold chronograph wristwatch | Circa 2000
Auction Closed
May 10, 02:36 PM GMT
Estimate
40,000 - 70,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: black
Calibre: cal. 27-70 manual winding, 24 jewels
Movement number: 3'146'720
Case: 18k yellow gold, screw-down sapphire crystal display case back
Case number: 4'102'184
Closure: 18k pink gold Patek Philippe folding clasp
Size: 42 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: yes
Accessories: Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin and travel box with outer packaging
Please note the leather strap derived from endangered species is for display purposes only and is not sold with the watch. The watch will be shipped with a Sotheby’s branded calf leather strap.
Unveiled at the 1998 Basel Fair, the reference 5070 by Patek Philippe marked a bold and unexpected departure for the manufacture. At a time when the brand had long focused on highly complicated chronographs, the 5070 reintroduced a simple chronograph—yet did so in striking fashion, with an oversized 42 mm yellow gold case, the largest ever produced in series by the maison at the time.
Despite its modern proportions, the design was deeply rooted in history, drawing direct inspiration from the vintage reference 2512, notably through its stepped bezel and bi-compax dial layout. Beneath the caseback beats the revered Lemania-based calibre 2310—also forming the base of the early A. Lange & Söhne Datograph—making the 5070 the final chapter in Patek Philippe’s use of this legendary movement, just before the shift toward fully in-house chronograph calibres.
The present example belongs to the first series of production, echoing the iconic yellow gold and black dial configuration of its historic predecessor. Both a bold statement piece and a significant transitional reference, it represents the closing of one era and the dawn of another in Patek Philippe chronograph history.