Patek Philippe Ref. 5089G-020: Complications Guide

lavrentivs · 2023-10-24T16:28:51Z

Explore the Patek Philippe Ref. 5089G-020, a 175th-anniversary Rare Handcrafts piece featuring exquisite wood marquetry. Discover its market performance and collector insights.

lavrentivs

WPS member · Patek Philippe forum

26 replies8314 views4 photos

Lavrentivs offers an exquisite look into the Patek Philippe Ref. 5089G-020, a standout piece from the 175th-anniversary Rare Handcrafts Collection. His detailed post highlights the intricate wood marquetry depicting an Old Lake Leman barque, a testament to Patek Philippe's dedication to artisanal excellence. This article delves into the watch's unique aesthetic and horological significance, providing context for its enduring appeal among collectors.

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Introduced in 2014 for the 175th anniversary of Patek Phillipe, this watch is part of the Rare Handcrafts Collection. The craft in question here is wood marquetry. This craft utilises fragments of wood which are assembled and arranged into designs. In this case, the fragments have been assembled on a plate of gold to depict an image of an Old Lake Leman barque in Geneva harbour. The inspirations for the designs of these dials come from paintings in the possession of Philippe Stern. These watches excel at drawing your attention to the dial only for you to immediately forget what the time is upon taking your eyes away from it; what a complication!

The case is around 38.5mm in diameter and is made of grey gold. This variant was limited to forty pieces.

The caseback engraving indicates its anniversary edition status.

Raising the hinged covering reveals calibre 240 which beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour, features automatic winding courtesy of a 22K gold off-centre mini-rotor and has a power reserve of 48 hours.

About the Patek Philippe Complications Ref. 175thcollection

The Patek Philippe 175th Anniversary Collection, launched in 2014, comprises a series of highly complex and limited-edition timepieces created to commemorate the manufacture's significant milestone. This collection showcases Patek Philippe's mastery across various horological disciplines, featuring a diverse array of complications and artistic crafts. Each model within the collection represents a distinct facet of the brand's heritage and technical prowess, designed for discerning collectors.

The collection includes models with a variety of precious metal cases, such as rose gold, white gold, and platinum, with dimensions and thicknesses varying significantly depending on the specific reference. Movements are exclusively mechanical, encompassing both manual-winding and automatic calibers, many of which are newly developed or highly modified for these special editions. Sapphire crystals are universally employed, and water resistance ratings vary by model, reflecting their specific design and intended function.

This anniversary collection appeals to collectors seeking exceptional examples of contemporary haute horlogerie and significant pieces within Patek Philippe's modern history. The limited production numbers and the complexity of the movements ensure their continued relevance in the secondary market. The collection includes a wide spectrum of complications, from world timers and chronographs to grand complications, offering a varied selection for different collecting interests.

Specifications

Caliber: Multiple calibers depending on specific model within the collection

Case: Precious metal

Diameter: Varies depending on specific model within the collection

Dial: Varies depending on specific model within the collection

Water Resist.: Varies depending on specific model within the collection

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The Patek Philippe Ref. 5089G-020, part of the Rare Handcrafts collection, was retailed for approximately 90,650 Euros in 2015 and later achieved around 149,300 USD at auction, indicating a significant appreciation in value.
The sale of such a rare piece shortly after acquisition raises questions among collectors regarding the potential impact on future allocations from Patek Philippe, especially given the extensive application processes and prior purchase history often required.
Rare Handcrafts pieces, like the Ref. 5089G-020, are exceptionally difficult to acquire, often not even displayed at client events, making their appearance at auction a rare opportunity for enthusiasts to view them.
Another notable Rare Handcrafts series, the 'Lighthouses of France,' introduced earlier in the year, consists of three themes, each limited to 10 pieces, showcasing Patek Philippe's continued commitment to intricate artisanal dials.
Despite the quick turnaround in ownership, there is a shared sentiment that these exceptional pieces ultimately find their way to appreciative collectors who value the artistry and craftsmanship.
The captivating beauty of the marquetry dial is so profound that some collectors suggest the watch would be desirable even without hands, emphasizing the dial's artistic merit over its time-telling function.

The Discussion

Credor

Oct 24, 2023

What an incredible piece of wearable art

Its perfect

VinnieD

Oct 24, 2023

IMO this is of an even higher caliber than their enamel offering

They could even forget to mount the hands, it would still be worth wearing Could to see some wear marks too on this one!

FabR

Oct 24, 2023

Fully agreed! Hard to pick among the Rare Handcrafts produced by Patek (enamel, miniature painting, wood marquetry, and hand engraving), but if I had to, this would be the one....its beauty, difficulty, and why not, exclusivity, are second to none! :-)

lm6

Oct 24, 2023

Art on the wrist! Beautiful.

FabR

Oct 24, 2023

Fantastic, this is of course one of my favorite watches ever, authored by the one and only Jérôme Boutteçon! Note that he's THE ONLY (!) artist in charge of Patek's wood marquetry, hence its incredible scarcity even within our Rare Handcraft lines! :-)

Glad the version in your hands performed so well at the HK auction, definitely a deserved tribute to this amazing craft and the genius behind it! Greetings from one of its siblings, from my personal collection: You can even see here the slivers of wood that make up this amazing dial, which become totally clear when you observe it under a loupe! (Picture courtesy of a friend.) Cheers.

jleno

Oct 25, 2023

Wonderful shots of the dial, Fab!!!

A masterpiece!

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Patek Philippe Ref. 5089G-020: Complications Guide

About the Patek Philippe Complications Ref. 175thcollection

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

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