Patek Philippe 5208P-001 | Minute Repeater
Collection : Grand Complications
Model reference : 5208p-001
Case/Size : Platinum, 42mm
Dial : Charcoal grey sunburst
Movement : Automatic-winding
Functions : Minute Repeater, Chronograph, Perpetual Calendar
Condition : Mint
Accessories : Accompanied by a leather folder with pictures and instructions, folder outer packaging, additional case back, setting pin, leather wallet, product literature, special wooden presentation box
Patek Philippe has a glorious history of producing incredibly gorgeous and ultra-complicated timepieces, commissioned by royalty, heads of states and industrialists.
In 1845, they completed their first minute repeater, and since then, the complication has become a part of 3 complications that essentially form the brand’s DNA, the other two being the perpetual calendar and the chronograph. What Patek also does incredibly well, is combining all these complications to make one Grand Complication timepiece.
The first ever Patek Philippe Minute Repeater with a Perpetual Calendar and a Chronograph was made in 1899. The brand also introduced a double-dial grand complication with minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph and perpetual calendar in 1914. While these were pocket watches, Patek took its time to put these complications together within a wrist watch.
The result is the present reference 5208P-001. A watch so special, that it took a permanent spot on the wrist of Mr Thierry Stern himself. Launched in 2011, this was an ‘application piece’ and technically Patek Philippe’s first grand complication wristwatch, featuring a chronograph, a perpetual calendar and a minute repeater.
The 42mm platinum case is 15.1mm thick with the trademark diamond between the lugs under 6 ‘oclock. The entire case is exquisitely mirror polished and features a concave bezel. The overall profile of the hardware, with the incredible combination of the complications makes this a statement piece with immense presence on the wrist.
The grey sunburst dial with a silver minute track beautifully compliments the polished platinum case. The indices, the hands and the calendar apertures are in polished white gold. As beautiful as it looks, the aesthetic further enhances the functionality of this timepiece. And then there is the dial layout which is a work of art in itself.
The day, date and month are displayed in individual apertures across the upper periphery of the dial, while the leap year indicator is integrated within the 60-minute chronograph sub-dial at 3 o’clock. The seconds counter with a moonphase indicator is placed at 6 o’clock and the hours subdial, with a day/night indicator at 9’oclock.
For a grand complication to be so legible like this one, Patek Philippe has truly mastered the dial layout of a perpetual calendar and chronograph. Others just follow suit. Then there is the mega complication – the minute repeater activated with the slide on the caseband.
The sight through the sapphire case back is equally stunning. This watch houses the automatic Caliber R CH 27 PS QI offering a power reserve of up to 48 hours. The finishing is impeccable featuring a rose gold micro-rotor with guilloché pattern, Geneva stripes on beveled-edge bridges, polished counter sinks, black polished screw heads, hammers, gongs and with perlage on the baseplate. All of this is stamped with the PP hall mark seal.
This gorgeous mother of grand complications comes on a hand-stitched large rectangular scale alligator, with spring bars for easy strap change and a platinum deployant clasp – all offered in a wooden presentation box.
Patek Philippe 
