For its 2015 exhibition at the
Saatchi Gallery in London,
Patek Philippe quietly re-released a series of discontinued models using new-old-stock movements and unused cases from series production. They came with unique dial variations not seen in the original collection, and were produced in very limited numbers. This
Saatchi Edition 5070J-012 is believed to be one of just 5, making it one of the rarest variants of the highly-desirable reference.
Inspired by a unique split-second chronograph manufactured by
Patek Philippe in the early 1950s (the Ref. 2512), the
5070 was the first production watch manufactured by
Patek Philippe with a case size larger than 40 mm. It was originally produced exclusively in yellow gold, before later being offered in other metals.
Harking back to the much admired ‘golden-era’
Patek Philippe chronographs of the 1940’s, this example has a unique to the series, brown-metallic sun-burst dial, with two subsidiary dials at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock respectively. The dial is classically understated, balancing the inclusion of a tachymeter scale (similar to that of a technician’s watch), and outer railway-minute track perfectly.
The watch displays five hands - hours, minutes, and seconds for the time, with seconds and minute hands for the chronograph. Overall, the dial layout is cleanly designed, with the chronograph highly-legible in a variety of lighting conditions and applied yellow-gold Arabic numerals offering enhanced readability. With its 42 mm case diameter, the size of the
5070 is unconventional by
Patek Philippe standards - yet at 11.6mm thick, its stepped case design is typically considered, and wears comfortably on wrist.
The reference 5070J integrates
Patek Philippe’s 24-jewel, manual-winding, CH 27-70 caliber, based upon a thoroughly re-worked ‘Nouvelle
Lemania’ 2310 ebauche, considered one of the finest chronograph movement designs ever produced. The movement is beautifully finished, with exquisite chamfering on all angles, polishing and decoration, in the form of Geneva striping. The movement uses a monometallic
Gyromax balance wheel, with a high moment of inertia to guarantee timing stability, and beats at 18,000 A/h, with a power-reserve of approximately 60 hours. It's constructed with 24 jewels, a shock absorber device, and a straight-line lever escapement. Using a new-old-stock calibre this piece bears the Geneva seal, pre-dating the
Patek Philippe seal found on movements produced after 2009.
This
Patek Philippe 5070J comes on its black alligator strap and corresponding yellow-gold deployant-clasp (with original manufacturer's stickers still applied to the display-back). The watch is full-set, with its original box and papers from the manufacture (dated July, 2015). Produced after the reference was discontinued in 2010, this incredibly rare limited-edition
5070J represents an exceptionally rare and desirable variant of a highly-collectible modern
Patek Philippe.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.
