Patek Philippe Ref 5004 and 3939 watchesPatek Philippe Ref 5004 and 3939 watches, both of whom will be retired from production soon.
In May 1839, when Antoni Patek and Francizek Crazpek came together, they ended up taking footsteps into what would eventually become one of the most important and significant chapters of horological history, i.e. Patek Philippe S.A. Since then, the enterprise has undergone change in management, but has also ensured that they produce master piece watches, which would offer the owners, a unique experience of time keeping. This year, 2 of their watches, the Ref 5004 and Ref 3939, will be bought to their retirement. While the Ref 5004 had 50 final pieces made all of which have been sold out, the Ref 3939 will only have one piece made to be auctioned at the Only Watch 2011 event.
The Ref 5004 saw its first editions in the year 1996, and has only 12 pieces made out every year. The time piece was created with precious metals such as gold and platinum, but this final lot will feature stainless steel instead. The 37mm diameter case has a sapphire crystal protection for both the front and back of the body. The front dial is a white enameled surface with 3 sub-dials along with the main hour and minute hands. 3 sub dials shows split second, 4-year phase, small seconds and even moon phases, where as markings on the main dial displays hours, and the final outer rings has Arabic numerical minutes. The movement is a mechanical one, governed by the CHR 27-70 Q caliber. The strapping however is still the original brown crocodile leather variety. Originally announced with a price tag of $308,000, the 50 pieces of this lot has already been sold out and will need only shipping to its buyers.
The Ref 3939 on the other hand, is also a mechanical watch but governed by the R TO 27PS caliber movement, that could be seen on the exposed skeleton on the back of the casing, covered by sapphire crystal. The dial is a black enameled round surface that shows the hours minutes and seconds, without having any extra complications associated. The hours are shown as Arabic numericals, with the minutes in smaller dots, all of which are created with white gold. The similar metal was used for the other pieces, but this piece, which is supposed to be the last, will be made out of stainless steel. The timepiece shall eventually feature in the Only Watch 2011 event, where it will go under the hammer.
For a glimpse into other masterpieces from the watchmaker, please take a look at our list of Most Expensive Patek Philippe watches. We are sure some of you would be awestruck by fineries of the craftsmanship of the Swiss watchmaker.
