Patek Philippe

The 5020, which has the same exact movement as the 3970, was much maligned when it was introduced. A dismal failure in terms of sales, the almost universal reaction could be described in one word - "ugly" with a few !!! s. How the 5020 became "beautiful", in at least some collectors' minds is a mystery to me. Like the early 3rd series 3970 platinum, the moon phase register is blue/yellow, rather than black/silver. While the 3970 has the exceptional and classic case style of its larger antecedent, the 2499, the 5020 came to be referred to as the "television" model because of the shape of the case. Somehow "television" does not seem to connote great beauty or anything even remotely close to that.

Interestingly, a "unique" 5020 is coming up for auction next month in Geneva, with a black Breguet dial as compared to the silver Breguet above. 5020 dials came in 2 styles, black diamond and silver Breguet. According to the auction house description, a total of about 200 5020s were produced in all metals combined, of which fewer than 20 were platinum.

While later platinum 3970s came with a second case back, the 5020 platinum, unlike the gold variants, never came with a second back (just the solid one). Why? I have no idea, but I think the same applied to the platinum versions of 5040 and 5013, all of which are form cases, rather than round.

I hope you enjoy viewing this former ugly duckling cousin (before it became a swan) to the always beautiful 3970.

Best, patekova

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