Throwback Thursday: Patek Philippe “Cathedral” Minute Repeating Annual Calendar Ref. 5033P-001

There are a lot of very tempting things about this exquisite Patek Philippe, but first and foremost that it is such a very understated watch! With its distinct tonneau case and subtle Roman numerals, it shows that it is a fine watch, yet disguises how technically refined it is!

It is hard to believe that this Ref. 5033P-001 is already 15 years old. It was created in 2002 as part of a special order for the State of Qatar of 10 watches in platinum, of which this is one of them, and only 1 in titanium. For the very first time, it combines an annual calendar with a minute repeater in a Patek Philippe.

The automatic movement is powered by a micro-rotor and is fitted with extra long gongs for the repeating mechanism. This gives them a much richer sound, hence the name “cathedral.”

One of the most appealing factors of this watch is that its design is so clean and balanced. The mechanism that supports the annual calendar is placed at the front of the movement, which allows for the minute repeater hammers and the 22 karat gold micro-rotor to take center stage at the back of the watch. The finish is, as always with Patek Philippe, exquisite, and this movement also features the Geneva Seal as a testimony to that.

The front of the watch is equally elegant, not only because of its subtle two-tone dial but also because of the perfect placement of the annual calendar windows. Combined with the sub-seconds located at three o’clock, the dial is dynamic, captivating, yet not overpowering.

Its good look, unique combination of complications, as well as its rarity, makes this a prime choice for any collection. With an estimate set between CHF 270.000 – CHF 400.000 by Christie’s, the Ref. 5033P-001 was sold in the middle of its estimate range for CHF 336.500

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