Patek Philippe

Arrival of our eagerly awaited present (for post New Year 2016 and Pre-Chinese New Year) !

Hi all,

Previously I wrote about the China 10^th Year Anniversary Limited Editions before they were sold to collectors.

www.watchprosite.com

As mentioned, for the ladies’ 4897, there are only 10 pieces of white and 10 pieces of rose, and they represent the first time Patek has produced female limited pieces for in China. The marketing strategy was to sell them as sets, each with a 6000 and 4897. Apparently collectors (including yours truly) quickly put up their hands and naturally demand was greater than supply. The Maison mangers (Anna for Shanghai and Emily for Beijing) had the unenviable task of deciding who they should allocate the sets to.

After an anxious wait period, fortunately we received an allocation of our set of rose watches, just in time for a big party we went to. Below are some photo s of these watches.

Finally, on our wrists ! Stick hour markers show that they are a pair.

They belong side by side

Lady on the left and man on the right

Maps side by side - showing the 2 longest rivers (Yangtze and Yellow) in China. The rivers are blue on the map.

The 6000 has an interesting decagon as a back cover encasing the map

The engraved map shows Beijing and Shanghai in Chinese

The dial of the 6000R is just exquisite. Why? The date numerals are printed, most likely by the method (mentioned to me by our moderator Mark after his research with Patek) in which the dial master manually operate the press to keep making impressions on the dial so that the numerals rise above the dial to provide a 3D effect. Hopefully the macro shots can give you a sense of what they look like.

3D effect of the stick hour markers

Can you see the 3D for the date numerals ?

no 3D effect of the numerals in this photo but the half moon date marker is nice

The dial of the 4897 with sunburst is also very nice. The contrast of the diamond with the rose is better than with the white gold because the contrast is stronger.

overall look of the dial

close-up of the dial

After the 20 sets of 6000 + 4897, final decision for allocating the remaining 15 pieces of 6000G and 15 pieces of 6000R has not been made. I am keeping my fingers crossed for my two friends (whom I recommended to the Maisons) for the 6000Rs to get theirs !

Hope you enjoy the photos.

Cheers,

Gordon

This message has been edited by GLau on 2016-01-24 08:53:08

💰1728 Marketplace Listings for Patek Philippe›Patek Philippe Calatrava · 2 for sale · 8300 discussions›

Congrats to a lovely pair! Both gorgeous, thanks for sharing pics! [nt]

By: keks : January 24th, 2016-08:54

Thanks for your comments Kek ! We feel very lucky! [nt]

By: GLau : January 24th, 2016-08:56

Huge congrats! Patek just gave both of you a Big "Hong Bao" to celebrate the CNY! [nt]

By: Clueless_Collector : January 24th, 2016-08:56

Yes, Raymond, Patek did give me a nice "hong bao", and in return, I ...

By: GLau : January 24th, 2016-09:02

gave Patek a big envelope full of RMB ! So both and :-( Overall, I am very happy because my wife is happy ! Happy wife=Happy Life ! :-P Cheers, Gordon

Do they come in special boxes and certificates?

By: Clueless_Collector : January 24th, 2016-09:14

How is this compared to the 20th Anniversary Lange 1 set? I know these are gone but do you mind sharing their price in PM? I don't have couple set watches and is still looking. Congrats again, you may get a suitcase of RMB back in future ) Rgds Raymond

They come with a special box that holds...

By: GLau : January 24th, 2016-09:31

two watches ! Certificates are the regular version.

Thanks for your PM...

By: Clueless_Collector : January 24th, 2016-13:43

I assume the box will say the numbers? I don't see the engraving on watch back... Lucky you and your wife, one of the rarest couple out of billions ) Rgds Raymond

Good question Raymond: one has to open up the case back to check the case and movement numbers. The box itself is...

By: GLau : January 24th, 2016-19:23

generic. I naturally trusted the Maison and took possession of the watches and certificates with the assumption that they all matched. Keeping my fingers crossed

Congrats Gordon!!!

By: KC_HK : January 24th, 2016-09:18

This is a lovely set! Great pictures!! Feel so happy for you!! Keith

Thanks Keith ! We need a

By: GLau : January 24th, 2016-09:32

GTG soon !

Congrats to both of you, Mr and Mrs Lau. Enjoy. [nt]

By: amanico : January 24th, 2016-10:43

Thanks Nicolas! We are really enjoying them because ...

By: GLau : January 24th, 2016-10:57

they also represent the years we spent in China!

Congratulations Gordon!

By: Time to watch : January 24th, 2016-13:18

Hope you and the Mrs. wear them in good health always. A special pair of watches without doubt. Sincerely H.

Thank you H for your kind words ! Look forward to hearing on your progress for upcoming ...

By: GLau : January 24th, 2016-19:38

Basel and what you might pick up this year on engraving, enamel and / or other artistic dials. Cheers, Gordon

Oh Gordon, you're making us a gift by sharing this event that way.

By: Mark in Paris : January 24th, 2016-14:16

Some references are very rare when it comes to limited edition with Patek Philippe. And it is even rarer to hear about it from the owners. Hopefully we have many great watch fellows here. The lady version is trully beautiful and very elegant (even dressy ...

Hi Mark, thanks for your note, and I will bring your suggestion to my wife and hopefully she will...

By: GLau : January 24th, 2016-19:46

wear her 4897 more often, especially with casual clothing. For me, I do feel the 6000R can be easily matched with any setting that is more formal than shorts & T shirts. Cheers, Gordon

Well done to the Patek people,

By: Luis6 : January 24th, 2016-15:24

and you are definitely a worthy recipient of this lovely pair of watches!

Thanks Lius ! I think we are more...

By: GLau : January 24th, 2016-19:47

lucky than worthy. Cheers, Gordon

Lucky or worthy, both are very nice. ^_^ [nt]

By: Luis6 : January 25th, 2016-00:07

yes Luis, whether lucky or worthy, at the end, it is whether one gets...

By: GLau : January 25th, 2016-09:14

an allocation or not that matters.

Congratulations, my friend!

By: rnaden : January 24th, 2016-17:02

This looks better than the quick phone photos that you initially showed me...very impressed! It\'s a beautiful pair, and ones I\'m sure looks and feels even better in the metal! Just in time for CNY, everything seems to be lining up real well for this yea...

Hi Richard, yes, these watches look good in the metal and feel even better on the wrists. Definitely I will...

By: GLau : January 24th, 2016-19:51

wear the 6000R for CNY visits to spread the good luck ! Cheers, Gordon

Fantastic!

By: Shak : January 24th, 2016-20:50

Two beautiful watches...enjoy them. I have a separate question - how is the luxury watch market in China with all this talk of economic downturn...etc. Just curious to know of your opinion.

Hi Shak, the luxury market has slowed down quite a bit in China, especially for ...

By: GLau : January 25th, 2016-09:42

brands that expanded too fast and have built boutiques in second and third tier cities (provincial capitals & bigger provincial cities) instead of staying only in first tier (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen). Although they are referred to second...

Wow, congrats!

By: Esharp : January 25th, 2016-07:16

Gordon, congratulations and may you both wear them for many years in good health. What a great way to celebrate CNY - much better than any year-of-the-monkey themed special edition, if you ask me! Best E.

Thanks E ! Yes, this reference will be worn...

By: GLau : January 25th, 2016-10:07

during CNY ! Perhaps it will bring me luck and I get many Lai See's ! BTW, we need a GTG soon. Cheers, Gordon

Congrats to you and your wife!

By: alwoo888 : January 25th, 2016-23:49

A very handsome set for a similarly handsome couple. That sunburst guilloche on the 4897 has a very soft look with that cream color and pattern; almost textile/fabric-like. Reminds me of a silk fan. Beautiful! And that 6000 strikes a very nice balance bet...

Thank you alwoo888 for your kind comments! The only choice to choose in the set is for a couple to select...

By: GLau : January 26th, 2016-00:52

the metals. The Maison managers informed me that a small number of couples did select different metals for their sets. On our own initiative, I suppose we could separately purchase a brown strap to replace the satin one for the 4897. This alteration would...

Thank you Emily (Patek Maison manager in Beijing) for making my friend's Patek dream come true with...

By: GLau : February 23rd, 2016-10:25

his 6000 ! Cheers, Gordon ...

They have a very hard work

By: Mark in Paris : February 24th, 2016-14:07

in trying to give a limited number of pieces when the demand is much higher, thus it is an ingrate job in a certain way. Knowing you, I'm sure they chose well and thank you Gordon for taking time to share this event. Rarer pieces are more difficult to see...

Yes Mark, when it comes to a limited edition, the allocation process is a really.,.

By: GLau : February 25th, 2016-03:23

thankless task for the person allocating. One Patek AD told me that if they had a say, they rather not have limited editions (such as the 175th anniversary) being produced because these pieces result in more disappointed clients than happy ones. Anyway, m...

That's also what I feel

By: Mark in Paris : February 25th, 2016-07:01

from discussions here and there... These limited editions sometimes bring more troubles because of the client who could not get them. That's why I think that for Patek, it is not made for selling more but for the purpose of creating something special. The...