Patek Philippe Calatrava Grand Taille Ref.5107J 18ct 2003

Patek Philippe – Simply the Finest Watch Money Can Buy

Even today, Patek Philippe’s extraordinary care and commitment towards perfection means it takes almost year to manufacture even its simplest watch movement.

Significant moments in watchmaking since 1839 …

– 1839 Antoine Patek began producing about 200 high-quality pocket watches per year
– 1845 Patek & Co. Partnership founded in Geneva with Jean Adrien Philippe, Technical Director
– 1846 Tiffany & Co. New York, Tiffany appoints Patek Philippe as its principal supplier of pocket watches
– 1857 Universal Exposition, London, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert buy a timepiece, shooting Patek to international fame.
– 1867 the company produces the world’s first wristwatch
– 1927 the company produces the world’s first perpetual calendar wristwatch
– 1941 the company produces the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch
– 1962 the company produces the world’s first automatic, perpetual calendar wristwatch

It is said that fewer than 1 million Patek Philippe watches have been made since the first watch was completed in 1839. This is fewer than some high-end Swiss manufacturers, notably Rolex, produce in one year. In fact, the company limits itself to producing less than 50,000 watches per year, even though it’s estimated by many watch market analysts, it could sell ten times this number. Patek production is so meticulous it takes almost a year to complete its most basic watch, and more than two years to produce many of its more complicated pieces.

Patek’s vintage complications hold more world record prices at auction than any other brand. Landmark models include the model ref. 1518, the world’s first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the model ref. 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as refs. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450.

We, of course, associate Patek Philippe with the very best, but more particularly, the understated elegance, craftsmanship, heritage, exquisite design, perfection and total confidence and commitment in everything it does.

Description

We have always felt there’s a very special beauty and simplicity in the well-made thing. It is part of the fascination of watches, and some are so well made, they appear to have a form closer to nature, evolution and art, than to manufacture. This is one such example.

Model reference 5107J is an exclusive example of one of Patek’s finest contemporary dress watches, carrying the extraordinarily Calibre 315 SC automatic movement. Not only does this watch have an incredible movement, but it also carries an outstanding 18ct yellow gold case with a clear case back, meaning you can see this sparkling movement through the screw-down case back and also has an original, unrestored and untouched very slightly, off-white dial.

The Dial

The original unrestored and untouched slightly off-white dial features outstanding yellow gold pencil hour indices which are swept by the original dauphine hands, add a date window at 3 and there you are, a wonderful, clean and perfectly symmetrical dial.

We notice that Patek even leaves off the usual ‘Automatic’ nomenclature, which is found on almost every other automatic watch. It is simply signed ‘Patek Philippe’ and ‘Geneve’, with ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom.

Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we offer here. However in this instance, we decided that due to its exceptional condition and to retain its originality and charm for the many collectors who prefer this, we would leave it untouched. It also helps to offer a contrast with most of the other watches you see on our website, which have their dials restored.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

Movement

Here we have the original Patek Philippe Cal.315 SC,  30 jewels automatic movement, which is in absolutely immaculate condition, this movement can be seen through the rare case back.

The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced by a Master Watchmaker. This means dismantling the movement to each of its component parts, careful inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine parts, then careful reassembly and adjustment, before final calibration in 5 positions. The movement winds sets and runs accurately and reliably and at final testing and calibration, it was running within 0 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. We are therefore highly confident in offering our 12-month warranty* with this watch.

The movement is all correctly signed, ‘Patek Philippe & Co.’, ‘Geneve’, ‘Swiss’ and ‘Thirty 30 Jewels’, with the Calibre number 315 SC and the movement serial number 3254638 which dates this watch to 2003.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.

The Case

The 18ct yellow gold case measures a large 37mm, excluding the correct original signed Patek winding crown. This is a large-sized watch and give the watch a beautiful presence when upon the wrist. The case features the beautiful plain bezel which frames the dial beautifully and also carries a rare see-through clear case back, which means you can see the sparkling movement, we feel this matches the watch perfectly. 

The condition is outstanding, indicating the watch has seen only very light use and proper care. It is as sturdy and tight as the day it was made, with all parts pressing together with a very firm ‘pop’. There are no scratches, other marks, or signs of wear visible to the naked eye.

On the back of the lugs, as can be seen in the images, there is the Patek Philippe & Co hallmark along with the 18ct gold hallmark.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

This watch is fitted with a Genuine Patek Philippe black leather strap and a matching 18ct yellow gold buckle which we feel matches the watch perfectly. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please do let us know and we will do our best to oblige, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, however we can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish here.

Box and Papers

This watch comes complete with the Original Extract from The Archives which dates this watch correctly at 2003.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

This watch comes complete with a high quality hardwood presentation box as shown in the images.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.