hello everyone.
This month, ROLEX announced new products, and the topic of the "Submariner" has been all the rage in the watch industry. September is almost halfway through, and we are starting to hear of new arrivals in our second-hand market. In fact, we have some new arrivals at Commit, so please see below for more details.
Although the topic of ROLEX is very interesting, I am an appraiser who loves Patek Philippe . (laughs)
So, following on from last time, I will write about my encounter with a particularly memorable model of Patek Philippe watch that I have come across since starting Commit Ginza.
Please enjoy until the end.
Minute repeater
As I mentioned in my previous post, I was lucky enough to handle some rare and expensive models relatively early on after I started working at Commit, but I think the turning point for me was a model with a complex mechanism that had a sound system. This is generally known as a minute repeater watch.
*A minute repeater is a mechanism that tells the time by sound. It is often used in antique pocket watches and wristwatches, and all of them are in the high price range. Different models produce different sounds, and there are many fans who are attracted to the beauty of the sound.
★『MASTER'S COLUMN』Basic knowledge of watches 2
But I will explain it, so please take a look.
"Ref.5078P-001"
The first Patek Philippe minute repeater we handled was the Ref. 5078P-001.
The 38mm PT (platinum) case is just the right size, neither too big nor too small. The white enamel dial has a black railway scale. The Roman numerals are beautifully baked into it. I have been fortunate to have seen many Patek Philippe minute repeater models, but the sound of the minute repeater is particularly noteworthy. The sound may sound exaggerated, but it is truly moving. At that time, the timing and fate coincided, and I sold three of this model.
Of course, there is the issue of price, but there are some models with complicated mechanisms from Patek Philippe that do not have a fixed price listed in the catalog and are listed as ASK. There are also models equipped with a mechanism called a perpetual calendar, such as a minute repeater or tourbillon.
Our store also sells such extremely rare models without listing them on our website, so this time we would like to introduce some of them to you in special detail.
"Ref.5074P-001"
"Ref.5074P-001" is a minute repeater model with a perpetual calendar, and is a heavy platinum case with an impressive case diameter of 42mm for a Patek Philippe . The combination with the flawless black dial gives it an incredible presence. At the time, I had a strong desire to put it on my website, but when it comes to watches of this class, there are adult reasons... (laughs) Anyway, it was a cool watch.
I knew about this watch, of course, and had seen a few in person, with different materials, but I still vividly remember how happy I was when I started Commit and was able to actually sell this watch. It was also encouraging to be able to handle such a watch, and it made me want to work even harder.
"Ref.5016P-018"
Among Patek Philippe models, the ones equipped with the mechanisms mentioned above are limited to models such as the Sky Moon Tourbillon at the top of the range.
The "Ref.5016P-018" is a model that is equipped with a perpetual calendar, which is a complex mechanism even on its own, as well as a tourbillon and a minute repeater. Furthermore, since the perpetual calendar is retrograde, it is an even more complex movement. The combination of the overwhelmingly cool black dial, Breguet numeral indexes, and Breguet hands, and the moon phase at 6 o'clock is a perfect combination. When you operate the slide piece at 9 o'clock, you can hear a very beautiful and delicate tone that far surpasses other brands. When I remembered it again while writing a column for the first time in a while, I thought I would like to handle such an amazing model again! These days, I think about it.
"Ref.5970P-001"
This watch is now rarely seen.
"Ref.5970P-001" Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. With a platinum case and black dial, this watch is sure to look cool to anyone who sees it. While inheriting the classical design of its predecessor, the "Ref.3970," it adopts the square push buttons seen in the first generation of the first perpetual calendar chronograph "Ref.1518" and the second generation "Ref.2499," and while increasing the size from 36mm to 40mm, it also features a tachymeter on the outer periphery of the dial, maintaining an exquisite balance.
I have two platinum-cased "Ref. 5970" watches for sale, but it's a watch I always want to handle regardless of the material, and it's a watch that motivates me. (laughs) I've been aiming for it, but there aren't many watches in circulation...
summary
Although it may seem like I'm being completely self-satisfied, over the two articles I've talked about "ultra rare models," "rare models," "expensive models," and models that I've been lucky enough to come across thanks to our customers. What do you think?
There are many models I could not write about, but most recently I have come across the beautiful engraving "Ref. 5160G-001" that I recently sold, and I hope to continue to encounter many models that I have never handled before, and I strongly hope to deliver attractive watches to our customers.
Each model is packed with a lot of thought put into it at the time.
Once again, I look forward to meeting new watches and will continue to cherish them and work hard every day.