5032J-012 Millenium: A commemorative piece from Patek Philippe which we didn´t talk about

Jan 26, 2015,08:49 AM
 

… for a very long time - about ten years, if I am correct.


The watch I am talking about is kind of special without being complicated, for several reasons and a former moderator at PuristS even wrote: “The Millenium model is so not Patek that I love it”






Some details first :

 

Made in a limited edition of 100 pieces to commemorate the year 2000.

 

Case : Two-body, solid, polished, stepped bezel and lugs, screwed-down case back engraved with the Patek Philippe Salon in Geneva, cabochon ruby-set winding-crown, domed sapphire crystal.

Diameter : 36mm.

Thickness : 7mm.


Movement : cal. 240

Dial : Two-tone silver with (eleven) applied yellow gold dart indexes, a Breguet 2 numeral at 2 o'clock and outer minute divisions.

Hands : Yellow gold dauphine

 

I had the pleasure to see it (again) at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and took some snap-shots which I would like to share with you now.









The dial and the indexes are not common for a “modern” PP and the Breguet numeral 2 (on top) is so as well. Dauphine hands are often seen at a Calatrava and appropriate here.









The crown with the cabochon ruby-set is also uncommon in the world of PP (to say the least) and I guess not to everybody’s taste. To me it is just the cherry on the cake, if we talk about this reference. Another favorite of mine is the shape of the case and especially the lugs.

 

The “heart” of the watch is the well-known cal. 240 and another asset in my book.

 

For you pleasure I will share one more picture from TM and a collage done by me.









 

So what do you think about it? Is it odd, just beautiful, boring, interesting, awesome …?


Looking forward to your point of view!

 

Oliver


This message has been edited by small-luxury-world on 2015-01-26 08:50:16


More posts: calatrava

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

Thanks Oliver for showing this "oddity" and yet a very...

 
 By: GLau : January 26th, 2015-09:16
interesting watch !! IMO, the design carries DNA of older Pateks and is not a year 2000 look. Overall I like this reference and I wish that it comes with a darker brown strap and a dark blue ruby, thus making it more MASCULINE (which is a topic of my rece... 

"darker brown strap and a dark blue ruby"

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-01:45
Gordon, maybe I found something for you on my computer. One picture with a dark blue crown - only had to darken the strap with photoshop. Or second option, which I like a lot, with a simple (regular production) crown. Best, Oliver

Ooops, I forgot the picture ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-11:02
Sorry! Oliver ...  

thanks Oliver, this version with a blue diamond crown is...

 
 By: GLau : January 30th, 2015-05:09
much better, especially with a darker strap. I like the Patek logo too and, as mentioned previously, feel the overall design has older PP DNA from the 30s to 50s. But others do not feel it has Patek DNA. What is your view on this point ? Cheers, Gordon

Wow at first sight. Thanks Oliver

 
 By: patrickh : January 26th, 2015-09:23
for sharing. Love it, except Dauphine hands which are too common IMHO. Vintage WT hands with 3 end flowers for the hour hands should have my favor (I do not remember the ref number). Nevertheless, there are some lucky owners all over the world. Cheers, Pa... 

Patrick, was it this one ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-01:56
... you had in mind - ref. 1415? That would be even more spicy :-) Thanks! Oliver ...  

YES. I would love these hands on this 5032 model

 
 By: patrickh : January 29th, 2015-02:04
Thanks for this nice photo Oliver, Patrickh

My pleasure!

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-02:23
:-)

An intriguing piece indeed Oliver

 
 By: Mark in Paris : January 26th, 2015-09:36
I wasn't into watches at that time, thus I discover it now. As you sumed up, it so different from any Patek I could see (except the Dauphine hands). The gem-set cabochon is a detail I like today a lot, even if it is something I see more in a Cartier watch... 

"there is a lot to discover in that museum..."

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-01:59
Yes and if you change your focus each time you will find something different & interesting each time. I love that place :-) Cheers, Oliver

lovely ref

 
 By: cisco : January 26th, 2015-09:44
Beautiful case reminding of old references 2551/2525/3433 and I think some other(s) , nice dial, even if the 2 is surprising. The ruby is really unusual, I don't know if I like it, Overall a true Beauty, remained quite unknown thanks for sharing

Yes, I see what you are talking about ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-02:19
Would you prefer this (less fancy) version of the 5032? Cheers, Oliver ...  

Tough question

 
 By: cisco : January 29th, 2015-06:53
personnality or classicism, normally I go to eprsonnality but the ruby is not my stuff. And These Kind of romantic shape in White Gold are terrific... so I would rather go conservative for once thanks for adding Images ;) François

Its a very sexy watch.

 
 By: geross : January 26th, 2015-10:13
Totally very masculine & very sexy watch. Like a watch made for a lover boy. Very nice , the oddity just right. My opinion. Cheers Geross

"very sexy"

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-02:23
I like :-) Thanks! Oliver

Not my piece of cake

 
 By: dedestexhes : January 26th, 2015-10:41
Reminds me of a mix of a vintage Patek with some Breguet sauce on top of it... However that 2597 (or at least I think it is), for me one of the all time top 10 of Patek. If money would not be an issue....that would be my next Patek. Thx for sharing these ... 

Dirk, I am not surprised that you prefer ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-02:28
... something more understated yet sophisticated :-) Best my friend! Oliver ...  

From far a Chopard under scrutiny a Patek oddity :-)

 
 By: COUNT DE MONET : January 26th, 2015-11:42
Another example of the fact that Patek can do some unique looking pieces in their own line up. Looks very conservative but gets away with the quirky looking "2". As an Ellipse-fan: I would like it on a black strap! Thanks for the pictures. Moritz

Moritz, I think it would suit you very well.

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-02:36
Black is also fine, but I think it should be a more "classic" one which is thinner - like shown on older Ellipse pieces. Cheers, Oliver ...  

Odd ball.

 
 By: TheMadDruid : January 26th, 2015-12:46
Actually, the word "weird" came to mind. That's probably just the Jersey in me speaking out loud. But odd ball, for a Patek. I could see this as another brand's watch-not sure who. Keep on looking at it and I start to notice little details that I like ver... 

"Odd ball"

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-02:38
That´s fine, as we don´t have to share the same taste - all the time :-) Thanks! Oliver

not my cup of tea!!

 
 By: abe : January 26th, 2015-14:15
the single breguet numeral "2" looks odd to say the least; the cabochon on the crown is so Cartier; just my $0.02 did it come with a solid case back? Thanks for sharing; very interesting piece indeed; a real oddity from Patek

Some of the details have been shown at PPs ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-02:43
in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and the cabochon crown could be from the 80s. Only the Breguet 2, I haven´t seen at a PP before. Yes, there was no sapphire back. Thanks! Oliver

I recall seeing this piece!

 
 By: jonrus : January 26th, 2015-17:19
It was on display in the PP boutique Geneva, back in the days... I inquired about it, and was told that it was a boutique only piece, but sold out.

"sold out"

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-02:44
I know that sentence very well as I heard it sooo often ;-) Thanks! Oliver

DNA is a critical part of a watch....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : January 27th, 2015-00:50
....when I buy a JLC, I want that watch to demonstrate its JLC DNA. Likewise, if i want a Panerai on my wrist (which i occasionally do), I want it to give me that Panerai feeling. The 5032 is so unlike a Patek that it fails for me on this basic criterion.... 

Try to keep this watch....

 
 By: watercolors : January 28th, 2015-14:44
in your family for an entire millennium. :) Regards Edward

Would like to do so ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-02:49
but first I have to get one :-) Cheers, Oliver

Baron, there is lots PP DNA shown ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-02:48
from my point of view (see also some of my replies above) and only the crown and especially the 2 is uncommon. But maybe it is the mix that you don´t like!? Best, Oliver

uhmmm..... puzzle me this?

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : January 29th, 2015-03:40
If you took PP off the dial and asked 100 people who knew watches who the manufacturer was, dii you think many would say PP?

Probably not, but the same could happen ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 29th, 2015-04:05
if you take away the logo/brand of quite a few vintage pieces from UN, VC, GP, UG and so on. I agree, the 5032 Millenium is quite different and not common for PP - at least on the first view, but if we look in detail ... Well, I was aware that not everybo...  

100% agree.....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : January 29th, 2015-04:11
.....i love discussions like this....and we all differ in tastes....the beauty about "taste" is that there is no definitional correct.....taste is personal. Thats why we can differ without any issue. I once read a great quote.... "we are all entitled to o... 

Just my opinion...

 
 By: secretlife : January 29th, 2015-18:52
I couldn't help thinking after I read your comment: If you took the name off the dial, nobody would even give it a second look; it's only interesting because it's "so not Patek" Personally, I don't think it is a very attractive design with or without the ... 

No signing and focus on design DNA ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : January 30th, 2015-01:23
is something I appreciate as well, but this is probably VERY difficult to sell in bigger quantities. People (Mr Smith & Co) quite often believe in (strong) brands, only. Strong brands (WITH logo on it) can sell even "crap" relatively easy, at least sh... 

Some interesting points secretlife...

 
 By: watercolors : January 30th, 2015-02:56
I personally did not like DB28 looks but I trust it to be a exeptional instrument desired by colectors. Can you imagine wearing a Calatrava without a name on the dial? Would you feel comfortable that only you and your watchmaker know the secret of this ti... 

I'm with you on this one!

 
 By: secretlife : March 4th, 2015-18:36
I think an "unsigned Calatrava" would be an exquisite thing to have! Since my last post I have also identified the Sarpaneva "emali" as another watch that I fell in love with first then realised later that it had an unsigned dial... Also deserving of spec... 

Yes, thank you for sharing your...

 
 By: watercolors : March 11th, 2015-10:16
thoughts. I totally agree. I did litle bit of exploring of the Gronefeld brand and I must say that their watches are simply beautiful, I especially fell in love with the One Hertz watch. Dial's finishing is out of this world! Regards Edward