Your favorite "unique" Patek Philippe watches

[FeelingTheBlues]

Greetings TRF,

It's been a rather long time since I've posted a thread in this forum. Whilst looking at a lot of fabulous pictures from you people I've started to pay attention to a lot of websites showing and talking about vintage Patek Philippe watches, including some very special and unique timepieces.

We all know a few notorious collectors (some being more famous than others) and we've read a lot of threads on this forum talking about incredibly rare watches being sold at auctions for fortunes. With all those unique watches going around, I thought it would be nice to use this thread as a place where we can share the ones we've preferred.

Obviously I am not an expert in the domain and my knowledge is limited (although I do like to read a lot about them), therefore I'd like to keep this thread very simple. Basically, all you need to do is to share pictures of the very rare PP watches you've seen around and liked a lot and tell us why you like them. You may put more than one (I expect some people to want to put all of them in one post) but for the sake of giving you guys a little challenge I'll ask you to limit it to 3 choices, a big winner and two runner-up's! Should somebody already posted a watch you had in your mind, do feel free to quote it and give us your best this! or x2, we do like to see some of those around here...

Allow me to start with my two runner-ups!

Patek Philippe made especially for J.B. Champion

Those of you who know me very well may be surprised at this choice of mine. Indeed, this watch is not only made of platinum (don't get me wrong, I like it as much as the next guy but some of you do know that I usually prefer colored metals such as rose and yellow gold) but it doesn't even have a single complication. If I had to read my post in another person's body I'd wonder why I didn't go with something à la Eric Clapton's 2499 instead (something pretty rare, I trust that you will all agree)...

...Well, allow me to explain my choice!

This watch, as its nickname says, has been made by Patek Philippe as an unique timepiece for J.B. Champion, a very successful criminal defense attorney and a die-hard watch collector. What makes its charm is that whilst it doesn't have anything particular on the dial (the exception being the few words written here and there) it is a very unique and great watch! Its movement, especially developed for the Geneva Observatory's "Concours de Chronométrie", had to follow the rule of not being larger than 30mm and had to respect the very high standards of the firm (it has been stamped twice with the Geneva Seal...how's that for a good movement!? ).

This movement won the 3rd price of the contest (who knows how incredible the two other ones must have been! ) and was then put in another reference's case chosen by Mr. Champion before having all the special writings put on the dial. Overall, as simple as this watch can be, its history and the impressive quality of its movement made it unique and great enough to be in my top 3...

...Oh, and do notice the position of the second hand, am I the only one who really like that detail?



Patek Philippe reference 2523

I remember not too long ago when my good friend David (also known as perpetualman88) and I were discussing about watches we'd buy if money wasn't an issue (in another thread on this forum), the discussion got on the subject of this watch and we both shared some good information about it. Upon its release in 1953, the regular 2523's (without the cloisonné dial) weren't the most popular watches, often people would go with other references without really looking at those strange looking (at that time) world timers. Ironically, nowadays these watches appear only rarely at auctions and they often get sold in no time.

The particular 2523 I'm talking about, however, is a tad different. As you may have noticed, its cloisonné dial makes it a very unique watch (I'm afraid I don't know how many were produced but this one is supposed to be from 1955 and I'm guessing not too many of these have been made and sold). Given how rare the 5131's are rare and sought after nowadays, one can only understand why a vintage enthusiast like myself would be amazed by the beauty of this rare bird.



And my big winner is...

Henry Graves's Patek Philippe minute repeater wristwatch

Does anybody here know Henry Graves?

...I thought you would!

The man behind the Henry Graves Supercomplication, the legendary watch collector, had a little something for Patek Philippe watches. A lot of unique references of the brand were made for him, including some pretty complicated watches!

This one, however, is different. No one will argue over the fact that a minute repeater is a pretty complicated feature in a watch but this one is even more special than that. In the late 1920's, when pocket watches were still around and wristwatches weren't the most popular thing, Graves asked Patek Philippe to make two of them for him, two tonneau shaped minute repeater wrist watches on which he had his family's coat of arms engraved. The platinum version resting at the Patek Philippe Museum, this yellow gold model remains the only one belonging to a private party. Funny thing is, those watches don't even have a reference number on them as they are too old for that, it kind of gives you an idea of how unique they are.

As many of you probably did, I took a close look at Henry Graves's collection over the past months and I must admit that all of them were very impressive timepieces in a wonderful condition. However, it seems that between all those perpetual calendars and split second chronographs this one is the one that always made me drool the most. Its tiny, simple shape and dial make it a very elegant timepiece and only horology enthusiasts can understand how this small trigger on the side makes the watch a masterpiece of watchmaking. Had this watch been a simple tonneau shaped manual winding model I would have found it very beautiful but this little feature on the side really makes it become something else. This is why I chose this one as my favorite unique Patek Philippe watch.



I hope you guys enjoyed my little review of those three masterpieces. I am looking forward to reading what you guys have to say about your favorites and I really hope that this thread will be able to make us all learn a lot of things about special watches from a brand we all like.

P.S.: I've only posted vintage models but modern watches are just as welcome, you don't need to pick old and dirty things...

[SearChart]

I'm going to give you a +1 on the 2523 with cloisonné dial.

The runner-up for this one is going to be a difficult one.
I'm not a huge fan of vintage watches, there are some that I really like (especially the 2523) but that's it, but there are lots and lots of modern Patek Philippe watches that really make me smile by looking at pictures of them, but not all of them make me smile as much as the 5396R.

I am a very big fan of the moonphase complication, so my choice of course is the 5396R with the discontinued blue marker dial with blue hands.



Now, my all time number one is going to be my ultimate grail, the 5339R which is now discontinued.
It has the sleek and classy looks of the 5119R Calatrava combined with the amazing minute repeater and tourbillon complications which makes it the perfect watch.

[mikkibarry]

Carl, I really agree with your choice. That is exquisite. A classic in all senses.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Bas, some exquisite choices from you my friend (although I expected nothing less from you...). A classic tourbillon/minute repeater is hard to beat and I can ony agree with you on both the blue markers of the 5396 and the overall look of a moonphase indicator!

Mikki, thank you for your good words!

[SearChart]

Carl, my choices are certainly not as unique as yours, but I'm glad you like 'em as much as I do.

[cruvon]

Great writeup and watch selection!

[HL65]

Great write up for sure Carl!! As for me my favorite unique Patek is my 3970P with silver dial. Unique as it is unique to me.

[Iceman912]

I am a simple man, with a slightly complicated taste.

[subtona]

Great read Carl & a lovely choice, often less is more

[myopiccoog]

Iceman did you get the 5204? I got to handle it in Geneva, loved it! Before getting to play with it, i was mixed. Much better in person than the pics. Most Patek's are. To many collectors disagreement, the new stuff is a major upgrade in tech. The more I own both the 5270 and the 5970, the 5270 separates itself! Obvious looks are in the eyes of the beholder.

Originally Posted by Iceman912

I am a simple man, with a slightly complicated taste.

[Iceman912]

Originally Posted by myopiccoog

Iceman did you get the 5204? I got to handle it in Geneva, loved it! Before getting to play with it, i was mixed. Much better in person than the pics. Most Patek's are. To many collectors disagreement, the new stuff is a major upgrade in tech. The more I own both the 5270 and the 5970, the 5270 separates itself! Obvious looks are in the eyes of the beholder.

Well my friend, i wont confirm anything until its on my wrist

I find the 5204p to be the complete package. A combination of the 5970 +5270 + 5004 . I love the white dial and plat case.

I tell you a secret. The production version has some modification from the prototype

Best

Iceman

[FeelingTheBlues]

Bas, yo sure habe great tastes so it's hard to disagree with your choices.

San and Gus, thank you for the good words!

Iceman, the 5204 is a real masterpiece indeed and I hope to see official pictures of yours (one soon-to-be-yours) soon.

Ken, the 3970P silver dial is stunning indeed, did you finally get it back from HS? I'd love to see new pictures of it!

[myopiccoog]

The dial is cream. At least the ones at the Salon and at the factory in Geneva. Here is the wristie of the one I handled at Patek. I want one but will let the price settle first. Can't wait to see pics. Congrats!

Originally Posted by myopiccoog

Iceman did you get the 5204? I got to handle it in Geneva, loved it! Before getting to play with it, i was mixed. Much better in person than the pics. Most Patek's are. To many collectors disagreement, the new stuff is a major upgrade in tech. The more I own both the 5270 and the 5970, the 5270 separates itself! Obvious looks are in the eyes of the beholder.

[Stuxnet]

I'm a pig. I love cream. Whipped cream, clotted cream, ice-cream...

But my favorite cream is the cream dial of the 5204.

Mmmm...cream. Ce bon. J'adore creme Suisse.

[vc_watches]

Originally Posted by myopiccoog

The dial is cream. At least the ones at the Salon and at the factory in Geneva. Here is the wristie of the one I handled at Patek. I want one but will let the price settle first. Can't wait to see pics. Congrats!

... how come I don't see that diamond at the bottom!

[myopiccoog]

It had one. I remember. It is flush mount.

Originally Posted by vc_watches

... how come I don't see that diamond at the bottom!

[Iceman912]

Originally Posted by myopiccoog

The dial is cream. At least the ones at the Salon and at the factory in Geneva. Here is the wristie of the one I handled at Patek. I want one but will let the price settle first. Can't wait to see pics. Congrats!

Interesting, and thks for the pics myopiccoog.

I was told that the minute/hour hands and all the hour markers will be silver.
Your pics shows that its grey, very different from my pics which is the proto clearly showing black.

I cant recall patek mentioning the dial changing to cream thou. Hhhhhmmmm not a fan of this cream, much prefer in white.
Can you tell me went this pics was taken? Is the one u handle a working proto? Really appreciate more info on this pc.
Is the watch too thick at 14mm? Some say its much better porportion then the 5004 which has the same thickness but smaller case sz at 37mm.I hv to email patek again.

The production number on 5204 is only 12 pcs a year. I seriously doubt it will settle below list price Demand is strong as my trader here has already 5 inquiry and he cant even secure a single pc. This model is very controlled by patek who gets allocation.

If anyone has more info on 5204 pls Share and PM me as i do not wish to hijack this thread.

Best

Iceman

[myopiccoog]

Iceman. It is a working pic. The pic is on my wrist. It was taken the week of 15 June at the Patek factory in Geneva. I have a few more I will post. Patek did day that the split second is by far the hardest complication to make and perfect.

The second if from the repeaters and chrono event in NY the week of 21 June. Looks like prototype. I thought the cream dial looked pretty good. I would prefer white too.

It is thick especially when you look at it. It is fine on the wrist.

[myopiccoog]

Second

[myopiccoog]

Here it is in the tray next to the 5170s and 5270.

[myopiccoog]

Single shot in tray

[Iceman912]

Hi myopiccoog

Thks so much for the additional pics.

It seems like the pc on the tray has a off white dial and black minute/hour hands.
Very different from the one on your wrist. Can you confirm this?

Yes , the split second is THE most difficult complication to perfect. That is why i was inform only 12 pcs a year is their capacity

Best

Iceman

[myopiccoog]

Exact Same watch that was on my wrist. I literally took that pic of it in the tray and then put it on my wrist and took that pic. I wonder if it was the reflection. We were in the Patek board room and it had that burl wood floor to ceiling? Could that make the dial cream. I want to say it was for sure cream.

Originally Posted by Iceman912

Hi myopiccoog

Thks so much for the additional pics.

It seems like the pc on the tray has a off white dial and black minute/hour hands.
Very different from the one on your wrist. Can you confirm this?

Yes , the split second is THE most difficult complication to perfect. That is why i was inform only 12 pcs a year is their capacity

Best

Iceman

[Iceman912]

Thks so much for the info. I will email Patek to ask for certain what is the color for the production pcs.

Best

Iceman

[YbNvS]

I really REALLY like the new 6002G

[perpetualman88]

Carl my friend fantastic write up

The JB champion is a piece with such history and such provenance its not hard to imagine why collectors were willing to pay more than the 2499P clapton

And that WT with that beautiful and unique dial is one of my all time favorites as well. I wouldnt mind having the matching pocket watch as well

The graves repeater = pure class

I would need a series 1 2499 as well as a 5004 in Stainless steel

O how I wish

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Iceman912

The production number on 5204 is only 12 pcs a year. I seriously doubt it will settle below list price Demand is strong as my trader here has already 5 inquiry and he cant even secure a single pc. This model is very controlled by patek who gets allocation.

I don't know if this is right but from what I've seen this model is going to cost about $350k?

Edit: Sorry for hijacking your topic Carl.

[MP5]

What does email mean?

[vc_watches]

Originally Posted by MP5

What does email mean?

Means dial is enamel.

[FeelingTheBlues]

The 6002 is a very impressive watch indeed, more like a museum piece than an actual wristwatch in my humble opinion but its movement is just out of this world!

David, my friend, thank you for your kind words and for chiming in with your choices...5004 stainless steel...2499 series 1...

I think that however special (and stunning) Clapton's watch is, it's still coming behind the JB as the reference 2499 is more "common" (and I use that term because I cannot find another one) whilst the latter, apart from the case which is a customized version of one made for another Patek reference, is really unique and has no official "identity" except being that very watch.

Bas, no worries for the hijack. After all, it's still "rare watch" related!