Patek Philippe. A fine 18K gold automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, retrograde date, leap year indicator, moon phases and additional crystal display back

With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of the present watch with silvery opaline-white dial and yellow gold indexes in 1994 and its subsequent sale on 17 June 1994. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe fitted burgundy leather presentation box with winding facility, outer packaging, leather pouch and product literature.

Consigned by the descendants of the original owner, the present reference 5050 is fresh to the market. It is furthermore preserved in very good overall condition.

Reference 5050, Patek Philippe's first perpetual calendar wristwatch featuring a retrograde date made in series, was introduced at the Basel Fair in 1993, cased in yellow gold only. As of 1995, it was also available in pink gold, white gold and platinum but still exclusively with the silvered dial, applied Roman numerals, an aperture for the phases of the moon, the very first examples with outer railway minute divisions. Following substantial demand from clients, Patek Philippe introduced a second version featuring applied baton indexes, a modified moon phases display now in form of a circular subsidiary dial, outer beady minute divisions and the addition of the designation "Automatic".
Discontinued in 2002, reference 5050 is today a highly sought after collector's watch, a modern classic enjoying popularity both amongst scholars and aficionados for day to day wear.

Reference 5050 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 296.