Description
Reference 5016 Platinum with both black and opaline dials complete!
One of Patek Philippe’s greatest achievements of the late 20th century, reference 5016 was, until 2001, the most complicated wristwatch ever made by the company. With minute repeater, retrograde perpetual calendar, tourbillon and moon phases, reference 5016 is truly a landmark of horological high complication that succeeds equally in being a watch of supreme elegance and proportion. Sold with full set of accessories, this wonderfully preserved platinum example is one of the stars of the Champion Collection. The black dial in combination with the platinum case is certainly one of the most attractive pairings to be seen on this rare reference. The present watch is one of the very last to have been made and has the distinction of being the only platinum example known publicly with a movement engraved with the Patek Philippe ‘PP’ Seal.
Reference 5016 is one of the most intricate creations ever made by Patek Philippe. It incorporates all the complications sought after by discerning watch aficionados: a minute repeater with sublime resonance, a retrograde perpetual calendar with moon phases, and a tourbillon. Patek Philippe’s technical refinement is legendary and the present watch exemplifies their commitment to engineering detail. Patek Philippe watches never exhibit the tourbillon carriage through a dial aperture, fearing the lubrication oils will degrade with exposure to light. To the casual observer the only distinction is the word Tourbillon on the dial, suggesting the presence of one of the most complex mechanisms in the world of horology.
Launched in 1994, reference 5016 remained Patek Philippe’s most complicated wristwatch ever made until the arrival of “Sky Moon Tourbillon”, reference 5002, in 2001. Together with references 5016, 5050, 5059 (and later 5159), it is also the manufacturer’s only wristwatch with this particular dial layout, featuring a retrograde date with triple calendar windows and moon phases combined with the subsidiary seconds.
Reference 5016 is regarded as one of the ‘old school’ references of Patek Philippe production, it is one of the very last examples of this iconic group which includes masterpieces such as references 2497 and 2499. Indeed, the case design of reference 5016 is a direct descendant of the latter, characterized by the unmistakable sculpted lugs.
In production until 2010 when it was replaced by reference 5216, reference 5016 was available in the three gold colours and in platinum, with silvered or black dials, the numerals matching the case colour. A combined total of only around 200 pieces were made of which so far around 18 platinum examples are believed to have reappeared in public.
