The incredibly rare titanium Pateks: Only 12 ever produced? [Answer updated on May 5, 2022: They are now 13! :-)]

Nov 05, 2018,07:14 AM
 




If Patek limited editions are reasonably rare, and unique versions produced for special collectors are (in modern times) even more exceptional, titanium pieces appear to be among the most exclusive and prestigious of the entire Patek production.

So for some reason my friends, I got very curious about this topic during the past couple of days, and made my small "research" on the web. Here's the stunning result: It appears that only *12* (twelve!) titanium Patek wristwatches are known to have ever existed. All of them are, of course, unique pieces.

These wonderful 12 can further be divided into two categories: Seven made for the Children Action or Only Watch charitable auctions (references 5712T and 6000T in 2007, 5180T in 2009, 5004T in 2013, 5396T in 2015, 5208T in 2017, and 5524T in 2018); and five that were produced as special orders, sometime between 2000 and 2004, almost certainly for the same (VVVIP) collector.

These five beauties go under refs. 3998T, 5001T, 5102T, 5033T, and 3928T (the latter is one of the most unusual Pateks I have seen, featuring a stunning 9.44-carat flawless diamond in the case back!). The general public first heard about them when they appeared at a Sotheby's New York auction in June 2014, as part of an incredible 11-piece private collection commonly referred to as the "Titanium Collection."





Ref. 5712 in titanium, even more difficult to find than the steel version smile


While most websites that I found mention the existence of fewer titanium Pateks (but always within the above 12), let me say that the most of the data I was able to gather simply confirms the information listed at the following link (except that 5180/1T should probably read 5180T, since I don't believe the watch originally came with a bracelet). In fact, the site below obviously arrived at the same conclusions earlier than me, so it deserves all the credit. 


Finally, and also fascinating, while the name of the original owner of the five beauties auctioned in 2014 remains mysterious (at least to me), the majority of these 12 unique pieces seems to now belong to the same private collection, that of uber-famous Patek collector Claude Sfeir. The picture at the top is of the 5001T, which Mr. Sfeir regards as one of the most important watches of the 20th century.









The stunning case back of Calatrava 3928T, sporting a 9.44 carat diamond.


So now that I got so fascinated about this topic, my simple question is: Are there any other Pateks in titanium??

It's very possible, if not likely, that over the years other VIP collectors might have convinced the Stern family to produce a titanium piece, even though they may have (understandably) chosen not to make it public. Perhaps we even have some among the members here? smile  I'll be happy if anybody has further information to share on this topic --- and in any case, thanks for reading! smile




Patek 5102T Celestial.




Patek 5270T for Children Action of November 2022 (pictures added on May 5, 2022)


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Thanks for sharing

 
 By: @openworked : November 5th, 2018-07:21
Very interesting! Looking forward to read more about this. I didn’t know that PP produced any Titanium pieces until your post. Thank you

What a wonderful thread, thank you!

 
 By: Langeholic : November 5th, 2018-07:26
As much as I love a wide spectrum of Patek timepieces, I too am most intrigued about their rarest pieces. Having tried a titanium edition in the metal so to speak, I can’t say I prefer it over platinum or gold, but I no doubt found it very intriguing! Tha... 

Fantastic post

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : November 5th, 2018-07:34
That could be THE Nautilus for me!

This one... 5004T Only watch 2013.

 
 By: amanico : November 5th, 2018-07:51
...  

Thanks:-) [nt]

 
 By: FabR : November 5th, 2018-08:26

Faboosh...

 
 By: elliot55 : November 5th, 2018-10:32
... No, really... FABOOSH. - Scott

1 for me please :)

 
 By: Langeholic : May 10th, 2022-21:19

Thanks for sharing.

 
 By: VMM : November 5th, 2018-10:09
Some very rare birds. Vte

Fabulous post.

 
 By: Bounce781 : November 5th, 2018-11:38
Patel’s are t really my thing, but I appreciate your research here! Please keep us updated if any new ones join your list of 12.

Cool topic!

 
 By: keks : November 5th, 2018-12:39
I would be all over a titanium Patek if ever produced within reach for mortals like myself... I once mentioned to Thierry Stern that I would love to see a titanium piece in my collection and he told me there usually is an opportunity for anyone to purchas... 

Excellent post!

 
 By: w220 : November 5th, 2018-13:20
I don't have anything to add, but will be watching this thread carefully.

Thank you for sharing. I was aware of the auction pieces, less so the private collection.

 
 By: 5980 : November 5th, 2018-15:10
Many of you recall I believe the adjective “grail” massively overused by collectors...will anyone dub me a hypocrite for using it here 😀?!?

Nice study, Professor Fab...

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : November 5th, 2018-15:41
did you check with our honorable cbb? From what I observed here, her late dad’s PP collection seems second to none, maybe even the uber famous collector you mentioned 🤔 We might be in for more surprises.

Very true [nt]

 
 By: Gelato Monster : November 6th, 2018-15:47

Interesting read!

 
 By: BABKA : November 6th, 2018-09:34
Thanks for sharing! I wonder who the original owner was? Perhaps a low key individual with unique taste. I’m happy with their steel pieces although a bracelet Nautilus would be pretty light and spectacular on the wrist at that weight.

Thanks a lot, appreciate it. I've actually received some initial information on the possible original owner since I wrote this yesterday, which if true, would be very interesting.

 
 By: FabR : November 6th, 2018-11:22
I don't feel like posting any details at this time, however, since that information is still entirely uncorroborated. In any event, I do agree that an individual ordering the first titanium Pateks ever in the early 2000's, whoever they are, certainly have... 

Here are 11, not sure what no 12 is

 
 By: Miranda : November 6th, 2018-11:02
...  

Dear Friends, let me just record an amazing update to this 2018 Patek thread of mine that I hold VERY dear, where I had gathered together ALL 12 (twelve only!) known Titanium Pateks produced until year 2018 (of course all unique pieces)!

 
 By: FabR : May 5th, 2022-07:45
Well, nearly four long years later, number 13 has just seen the light! It's this stunning, green-dialed ref. 5270T, of course a unique piece like its 12 predecessors, which will be auctioned for charity come November on the occasion of "Children Action 20...  

One day…

 
 By: keks : May 5th, 2022-08:31
I too hope to acquire a Ti PP!!

My dream of a ti

 
 By: keks : May 5th, 2022-09:09
Goes many years back… recall handling the 6000T at the Phillips HK preview about 6 years ago and have been dreaming of this piece since… I see now it sold to a passionate collector who will likely never let it go which is great since I can give up on that... 

I do remember your interest, I believe you also mentioned this to TS himself👍 Of course all past T watches will be extremely unlikely to come to the market again, so I'm really happy that such a special tradition is continuing, one piece at a time :-)

 
 By: FabR : May 5th, 2022-19:27
I sincerely wish you all the best in realizing this dream one day --- it's not an overstatement to say that a Titanium Patek would become THE single most valuable piece of virtually any world-class watch collection! Cheers.

Indeed

 
 By: keks : May 6th, 2022-05:47
I did tell TS about my wish for a T… and he told me one was coming up for sale later that year at Only Watch … I did also tell him I wished for a green dial Nautilus or Aquanaut as an alternative to blue… and he did two years later release greens … but I ... 

;-))

 
 By: FabR : May 6th, 2022-12:45

Wow 🤩, I can see a record

 
 By: GLau : May 5th, 2022-17:05
auction price for a good cause !

Great cause.

 
 By: WatchUC : May 5th, 2022-21:27
A win for the children’s charity. I’m sure it will also bring greater attention to the PP perpetual calendar range, especially the 5270.

All I don't know

 
 By: anaroku : May 5th, 2022-20:45

Also for me, it was indeed REALLY interesting to research this matter (of course "research" in a non-academic sense --- I humbly just put together known information and reported on what others created....in this case, Patek! ;-))

 
 By: FabR : May 6th, 2022-12:53
All of these are obviously *incredibly* rare watches, and some of them also truly surprising..... The 3928T below, with a 9.44 carat diamond encased in the back (!), is easily one of the most unusual modern Pateks I have seen! Cheers. ...  

Fab, many thanks for an incredible post - both academically and photographically! Seeing the 5396 leads me to this idea...

 
 By: patekova : May 6th, 2022-15:12
At this point the iconic 5396 whose antecedents include the legendary 2497/2438, is getting a little long in the tooth. Maybe it is time to retire it. If so, I think it deserves a special send off, namely a limited edition. While a T would be fantastic, c... 

Many thanks for your input Patekova, always my pleasure to report on these amazing Patek creations for our forum! It's indeed quite remarkable how long the 5396 has been in the catalog, not to mention its large number of iterations over the years! ;-)

 
 By: FabR : May 6th, 2022-21:47
I happen to have the R-011, which I bought in 2011 and is still in production today, outlasting several more recent versions (I even saw it, of course "exhibition only," at one of the ADs today here in Italy! ;-) Patek is reading our forum, and your sugge... 

In many ways for me 5396 represents Patek at its best: seriously complicated (almost like a full perpetual), arguably the most useful complication, perfect size,

 
 By: patekova : May 7th, 2022-00:06
Calatrava case, continuous motion because of the sweep seconds hand, and above all that it is BEAUTIFUL.

Breaking news with sincere congrats to Patek Philippe for the CHF 9.7 Million (!!) achieved last night at "Children Action," for this unique 5270T-010 in Titanium! :-)

 
 By: FabR : November 8th, 2022-13:18
This FANTASTIC result is the best obtained so far at any 2022 watch auction. Thanks to the Brand's generosity, the entire amount of CHF 9.7M will now be used to benefit countless children around the world! For further details please see Patek's official a...  

Congratulations to both the buyer and Patek

 
 By: w220 : November 8th, 2022-14:52
That is indeed a fantastic result! I hope the buyer will actually wear and enjoy the watch, and not lock it up in a safe forever hidden.

My huge pleasure O., "researching" this lesser-known area of our Brand's production was a source of both surprise and excitement (even if here 'research' only meant gathering together information on the marvelous works of others....namely, Patek! ;-))

 
 By: FabR : November 9th, 2022-17:04
It is not an overstatement that these 13 Titanium watches are among the most rarefied and exclusive timepieces produced in Patek's 183-year glorious history. I can only imagine the honor and responsibility of the fortunate custodians of such historically ...