Year: Circa 2008
Reference No: 5070P-001
Movement No: 3’715’210
Case No: 4’457’982
Material: Platinum
Calibre: Manual, cal. CH27-70, 24 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Patek Philippe deployant clasp
Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped The Hour Glass (HK) Limited dated 30th October 2008, hang tag, leather folio, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Since introducing their first serially produced pure chronograph wristwatch via the ref. 130 in the 1930s, Patek Philippe has continued to create some of the most prized, valuable and impressive chronograph wristwatches throughout the decades. The introduction of the ref. 5070 in 1998 made headlines as it was the first pure chronograph released by the firm since the legendary ref. 1463. Initially released in yellow gold, it was made available in white gold pink gold and in 2008 a platinum version was released with a short production spanning until 2010 until it was replaced by the ref. 5170.
Taking its inspiration from the rare and desirable unique ref. 2512 featuring a 48mm diameter stepped case with applied Arabic numerals, the ref. 5070 is a modern-day homage to the elusive reference. At the time, the reference was one of the largest ever wristwatch produced by the firm. Extremely pure and exuding a classic chronograph dial configuration with two registers that are perfectly centered and aligned with the crown, the perfect proportion of the ref. 5070 is simply jaw dropping. Powered by the Lemania-based cal. CH 27-70, it was the last reference to utilize an outsourced movement making the reference a rare occasion that the world would probably never witness again. Throughout its course of production, it is estimated that 1,000 examples of the reference were encased each in yellow gold, white gold and pink gold, with only 500 examples encased in platinum.
Arguably one of the most attractive iteration produced in its early stage, the present 5070P-001 example is from 2008 and is preserved in excellent condition.