Only Watch 2013, first titanium Reference 5004

For the brand’s aficionados, the Reference 5004, flagship model of the Patek Philippe Grandes Complications collection, naturally generates desirability. In the literal sense, since 2009, one could guess that it would increasingly become rare. Indeed, after having been between 1995 and 2011 the ultimate incarnation of the manual winding classical chronograph, it disappeared in the advent of a new perpetual calendar and a splits-second chronograph designed from the first in-house calibre, the CH 29-535 PS base movement. This drying up inevitably brought up the disappearance of a mythical page of the brand’s contemporary history, since this reference rhymed with the Lemania, CH 27-20, famous base calibre.

The unique reference 5004 in titanium

A manual winding motor, realised with 407 components, column-wheel and horizontal coupling, whose classical architecture year in year out challenged the “entirely developed and manufactured in-house” rule.

An increasingly absent legendary calibre

Exuding uniqueness, the Reference 5004T (for titanium) is thus not only an exception in the materials context. Until now, Patek Philippe had declined its discreet elegance on white, yellow and pink gold, platinum and even steel, via one of these limited series of which the firm is well known to boost it’s rating. The choice of this trendy material, which so far never tempted the brand, generates surprise. In addition, it offers the opportunity to great international collectors to cling to its beloved calibre for perhaps the last time; this historical Lémania to which the engineers and master watchmakers from Patek Philippe had added a splits-second refined system as well as a very sophisticated perpetual calendar mechanism to manufacture the CHR 27-70 PS Q calibre.

The Patek Philippe 5004T in its protection

Every immaterial conditions are united so that the protecting plastic encircling the piece at the time of the Antiquorum photo shooting yields to the wild drive of buying fever. An emotion lesson adding to the Monaco cause’s nobility. The interpretation is once more kneaded in accuracy, completely blending with the unique piece’s concept behind this event. What’s more is that it reminds how much the brand could lay claim to the appropriation of the chronograph, a welcome historical refresher.

The back of the Patek Philippe reference 5004T for Only Watch 2013

This is so because in 1902, the company already applied for a patent for a «double chronograph» equipped with two mechanisms allowing a simultaneous series of observation of different durations. In 1904, it signed a patent for an instantaneous transmission mechanism meant for the minutes’ timer. In the 1920s, it participated as first of its class in the chronograph’s miniaturisation drives leading to the realisation, on command, of a first ever splits-second wrist-chronograph. Finally, in the 1930s, with 11 references, it thrived on the golden age of chronographs. These are pieces which, till today, transform purists into gold diggers.

Official picture of the Patek Philippe reference 5004T