Hello everyone.
How are you spending the first weekend since the self-restraint measures were completely lifted? The streets of Ginza are bustling with more people, and department stores and shopping malls are starting to bustle. Uniqlo Tokyo also opened yesterday, and there was a huge line (almost 300 people were in line). People were lining up to buy the much-talked-about "Airism masks" without any fear of social distancing...putting the cart before the horse...
Yes. Without further ado, I will be talking about Patek Philippe again this time. In this 12th installment, I would like to talk about the "10 Days" . This is a model that is not often focused on, but this is a short article, so I hope you will read it to the end.
Millennium Commemorative "10 Days" released in 2000
The 10-day "Ref. 5100" was released to commemorate the millennium (2000).
*Ref.5100P
Equipped with the newly developed 10-day winding square movement "Ref.28-20/220",
YG (yellow gold) x white dial {1500 pieces}
RG (Rose Gold) x Grey Dial {750 pieces}
WG (white gold) x blue dial {450 pieces}
PT (Platinum) x Black Dial {300 pieces}
It was released in a limited edition of 3,000 units .
The case design is also known as "Manta Ray" because it resembles the manta ray , the world's largest stingray.
*Ref.5100J
It certainly looks like a manta ray... (laughs)
The movement, visible through the skeleton back at the very edge of the watch, is impressive and beautiful, and the words "YEAR 2000" are engraved on the back of the case, making it a fitting masterpiece for celebrating the millennium.
The included accessories are also quite impressive, including a special edition booklet, special inner and outer boxes with the number "2000" written on them to represent the millennium, a certificate, and an acrylic plate with a medal, among other things.
If I recall correctly, this was the highest price before the Lehman Shock, when PT was priced at mid to late 12 million yen, WG at mid 9 million yen, RG at 7 million yen, and YG at around 6 million yen. Nowadays, "Nautilus" and "Aquanaut" are popular and command premium prices, but at the time, limited edition models were especially popular and commanded high prices.
Although it is not as expensive as it once was, for a model released in 2000, the case size still stands out, and it is a watch that I would like to wear myself someday.
Tourbillon equipped "Ref.5101P"
The 10 Days Tourbillon "Ref. 5101P" was released in 2003 as a derivative model, and caused a further sensation with its tourbillon that was not visible from the dial side of the watch and its long 10-day power reserve.
*Ref.5101P-010
At the time, only the platinum case model was available, with a beautiful salmon dial. The exterior is very simple, but the case side is a stepped rectangular case. Arabic numerals are placed in a color that matches the case material, and there is a power reserve indicator at the 12 o'clock position and a small second at the 6 o'clock position. The only indication that the watch is equipped with a tourbillon is the inscription "TOURBILLON" on the subdial.
If you turn the watch over, you can see the tourbillon-equipped "Cal.TO 28-20 REC 10J PS IRM".
By the way, I recall that the final official retail price for the PT case was close to 40 million yen. It is a model that is hard to come by. Unfortunately, it has already been decided that it will be sold, but Commit Ginza currently has "Ref. 5101P-010" in stock, so if you are interested, please come and see it. ⇩⇩⇩
[Patek Philippe] 10 Days Tourbillon
summary
What did you think of the above explanation of "10 Days"? Many people have a strong image of Patek Philippe as a conservative company, but they are constantly introducing innovative new products to the world.
It takes a little time to wind the mainspring, but I was reminded once again how amazing it is that it continues to keep time even after wearing it for a week. I suddenly remembered this as I was finishing up this column, but when winding a hand-wound watch, you may be worried about how much you should wind it up. This watch is equipped with an idling device that slips when the mainspring stops winding, preventing problems with the mainspring.
I have a special attachment to each watch, and once I start talking about them I can't stop (laughs).
Patek Philippe is a very deep brand.