Patek Philippe 5125 Wempe Annual Calendar
Reference Guide

Patek Philippe 5125 Wempe Annual Calendar

By Mark in Paris · Jan 29, 2016 · 47 replies
Mark in Paris
WPS member · Patek Philippe forum
47 replies33231 views11 photos
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Mark in Paris introduces the Patek Philippe 5125 "Wempe" limited edition, a reference he recently discovered and found to be a true delight. This article explores the watch's origins, design details, and the community's appreciation for its unique characteristics.

Hi everyone,

A while ago, I discovered a reference I didn't really know about but which turned out to be a delight: the Patek Philippe 5125 "Wempe" limited edition.




This limited edition was launched in 2003 to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the German retailer Wempe.



There were 125 pieces made available in each of the 3 gold colors. All of them are done with a white dial at the exception of Platinum (100 pieces) which was provided with a black dial and red minute markers. The box contained a plain and a sapphire caseback. The plain one was engraved for the 125th anniversary event. At that time, the gold references were sold for around $27,000 while the Platinum version reached $36,000.



Source: Antiquorum



Source: Antiquorum



Source: Antiquorum




The case's size was in the modern standards for the early 2000's with a 36.5mm width and a 11.5mm thickness and housed the 315 S QA caliber with 35 jewels (21 600 vph, 363 parts, Gyromax balance wheel, unidirectional rotor, 48 hours of power reserve), predecessor of the current automatic 324 caliber.


Credit: MikeH on PuristSPro

On the dial side, I particularly love the smoothness of feeling we get from the hands and markers' front side work: the Dauphine hands don't have a "faceted" finish (fold in the middle) but are all rounded. I also find wonderful the fact that the minute nails and especially the 5 minutes markers are a little bigger than the others. As usual, many interesting effects come from the details, the ones which are not really obvious but which contribute beautifully to the overall picture.


Credit: MikeH on PuristSPro

The round case sides and the fact the correctors are perfectly integrated in this shaped surface is another detail which says a lot about the care put into this watch.

The detail that would bother me a little would be the "Wempe" printing which I find not as discreet on pictures as other retailer names I could see elsewhere. However, from what I read from people who were able to handle or possess one, it seems to be very discreet in the metal and not really a problem.


Credit: MikeH on PuristSPro

Of course we find again this gorgeous case, bezel and crown guards we have in the 5127, 5110 and other models. This is the kind of whole case which makes me say “I must get one of these someday!”

Patek Philippe has a very special knowledge and mastery about crafting cases, especially in the work of curves and roundness. Indeed it is not difficult to understand that plain surfaces are easier to manufacture than regularly curved ones. The lugs and crown guards are fantastically integrated into the whole picture. This is certainly what makes this design so special and appealing in all the references it was used in.


Credit: MikeH on PuristSPro


This reference may be the finest Annual Calendar from my point of view as I have a soft spot for registers compared to subdials. But this is subjective of course. I would love to have another simple Perpetual Calendar with this dial layout. It would be a beautiful journey back to the early QP references.

Please, feel free to share pictures of yours if you have one as it is a rare reference we are not able to see often. And congratulations again to Vwong who acquired a rose gold version recently.
A special thanks to MikeH for his wonderful pictures posted on PuristSPro.

Cheers, Mark


PS: here is a link to an interview of Thierry Stern and Kim-Eva Wempe about this event: www.wempe.com


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This message has been edited by Mark in Paris on 2016-01-30 04:47:26

About the Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Ref. 5110

The Montblanc Calatrava reference 5110, produced between 1997 and 2006, is a notable example of the brand's classic dress watch offerings. This reference is distinguished by its combination of a relatively larger case size for its era and the inclusion of a moon phase complication, setting it apart from simpler time-only Calatrava models. It represents a period where Montblanc was expanding its horological capabilities, offering more complex movements within its established aesthetic.

This reference features an 18k yellow gold case measuring 37 mm in diameter, providing a substantial presence on the wrist while maintaining traditional dress watch proportions. It is powered by the automatic caliber 240 PS IRM C LU, a movement known for its slim profile and integrated complications. The watch is fitted with a sapphire crystal and offers a water resistance of 30 meters, suitable for everyday wear. The power reserve for this caliber is approximately 48 hours.

For collectors, the 5110 appeals to those seeking a Calatrava with additional functionality beyond basic timekeeping, specifically the moon phase and power reserve indicator. Its production run from 1997 to 2006 places it within a specific era of Montblanc's development, making it a point of interest for those tracing the evolution of the brand's complications. The ivory dial and smooth bezel contribute to its understated yet refined character, aligning with the traditional Calatrava design language.

Specifications

Caliber
240 PS IRM C LU
Case
18k Yellow Gold
Diameter
37 mm
Dial
Ivory
Water Resist.
30m
Crystal
Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

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The Discussion
CL
Clueless_Collector
Jan 29, 2016

$27000 in 2003 is equivalent to $35300 in 2016, according to some Inflation website...I jump on one if they offer similar one at this value today. Thanks for the nice temptation photos as usual. Rgds Raymond

CO
coz
Jan 29, 2016

Thanks for the nice summary. I've seen one of these recently for sale. Also nice to compare this model with the recent Tiffany Anniversary Annual Calendar. Best regards

LU
Luis6
Jan 29, 2016

the crown guard is visually integrated with the crown, and the small seconds dial is kept complete and not cut out by the date window.

WI
willski
Jan 29, 2016

To compare past and current prices. As they, hindsight is 20/20.

VW
Vwong
Jan 29, 2016

As a new owner of this piece, I agree with everything Mark says. I will try to take some better photos with a real camera vs. my cell phone. Thank you for the additional photos!

JO
jonrus
Jan 29, 2016

I recall that the GM of Wempe NY was urging American collectors who did not get an allocation from him to call the various Wempe stores in Europe the day after the watches were launched. They did not sell out in Europe at the time. They were more than happy to ship them to American customers who called their stores and gave them their credit card number. How times have changed!

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