An Astronomical complication
Astronomical complications have a long and storied history, dating back as far as the 11th century, according to some. The term is loosely used to refer to any clock or watch which displays astronomical information, such as the location of the sun and moon in the sky, the current zodiac sign or sidereal time. Although many of their functions no longer have a practical purpose today, they masterfully combine horological history and cutting edge technology.
Produced between 2002 and 2008, the Celestial 5102G builds on this legacy, displaying the time, a moonphase and the configuration of the nocturnal sky in the northern hemisphere. Intricately designed and thoughtfully approached, this model remains one of the most complicated and intriguing Patek Philippe wristwatches of the 21st century.
A captivating design
The Patek Philippe Celestial 5102G displays a range of astronomical complications, which are thoughtfully combined: a sky chart, the time of meridian passage of Sirius, the time of meridian passage of the Moon, the orbital position of the Moon and a moonphase. Three stacked layers of sapphire crystal bring these all together, in a visually appealing and cohesive way.
A circular aperture at 12 o'clock represents the night sky over Geneva at any given time, with the addition of the cardinal points for ease of legibility. The rich blue dial wonderfully contrasts with the shimmering golden stars and moon. If you scan the intricate dial of the Celestial, you'll also notice a star towards the periphery that is larger than any of the others - this is Sirius, the brightest star visible in the night sky. Adjacent to Sirius, on the edge of the dial, is a small arrow. This star acts as a reference point for celestial tracking.
The watch also tracks the time of meridian passage of the Moon, as well as displaying its current phase (which represents the portion of the Moon that reflects the Sun when viewed from Earth). Like with Sirius, the Moon has a small arrow adjacent to it, pointing towards the chapter ring. Considering the amount of information displayed on the watch, it remains void of clutter. The use of subtle roman numerals placed in an outer chapter ring and leaf shaped skeletonised hands allow the wearer to appreciate this dramatic display, keeping peripheral details as clean and minimal as possible.
Housed in a contemporary 43mm white gold case, the Celestial offers a large surface area to display its various complications. Despite this diameter, it wears comparatively well on the wrist, thanks to stepped lugs and a thickness of only 9.9mm. Two crowns at the two and four o'clock positions enable the user to wind and set the watch, with the latter adjusting the celestial display. Half Calatrava cross engravings can be seen on the mid-case, showcasing the expertise and finesse that Patek Philippe have become known for.
Movement
This Patek Philippe Celestial 5102G is powered by the calibre 240 LU CL. Measuring 38mm in diameter, it features 45 jewels and beats at a frequency of 21,600 vph. This piece bears the Geneva Seal, pre-dating the Patek Philippe Seal found on movements produced after 2009. The movement is beautifully finished, with exquisite chamfering on all angles, polishing and decoration, in the form of Geneva striping. The intricate finishing is visible through the sapphire caseback.
The Set
This Patek Philippe Celestial 5102G is accompanied by its box, leather folder, Certificate of Origin and accompanying documentation. It comes on one of our Zürich taupe grained leather straps, along with a Patek Philippe alligator strap and a white gold buckle.
