Haute Time Visits Patek Philippe in Moscow

By Adrienne Faurote April 9, 2014

Haute Time Russia’s correspondent Yury Khnychkin recently visited the Patek Philippe boutique in Moscow. Today we’re bringing you the exclusive photos from their visit to the boutique, and of course some close up looks at the incredible timepieces housed by the boutique.

At the Patek Philippe boutique in Moscow, the decor, doors, furniture and showcases – in short, almost everything – features the famous Calatrava cross. Once a powerful symbol of the Catholic Church, this symbol has become the signature of Patek Philippe.

Indeed, that symbol also adorns the crown and buckles of several watches we saw at the boutique, the most interesting examples of which we’ve brought you today:

Annual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 5960G (Russian Limited Edition)

Limited to an edition of just 100 pieces, this model was created for the opening of the boutique, and is exclusively available in Moscow. Equipped with a mechanical self-winding movement, this timepiece features a white gold case and blue sunray-finished lacquered dial (whereas the original version was produced in platinum or rose gold). Russian Patriots will pick up the colors of their flag on the dial, which features white markers and hands, a red central chronograph seconds hand and a blue leather strap alligator. It’s worth noting that at Baselworld 2014, this model was updated with a stainless steel case, and the options of precious metals from the original production program disappeared, so it is possible that this Russian Limited Edition offers one of the last chances to buy a Ref. 5960 in gold.

Celestial Ref. 6102P-001

One of the manufacture’s most recognizable models, this Grand Complications timepiece features the Milky Way (as seen from Geneva), applied on three metalized sapphire-crystal discs. In addition to the sky chart, the dial also features the orbit of the moon and its phases. There are hour and minute hands, as well as a central date hand. A one-off prototype of this model (tagged under Ref. 5106) became the most expensive lot of the charity auction Only Watch in 2009, selling for for €535,000.

Minute Repeater and Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5213G-010

Patek Philippe’s most expensive model found us in Moscow. As often happens with this brand, its price tag does not seek to make itself known through flash. Instead, this piece is housed in a modest white gold case, and features a silver-white dial with Arabic numerals. Its movement is protected against moisture and dust by a hinged back cover, which showcases the automatic micro-rotor when opened. An understanding man will also note the lever on the left sidewall of the case: it serves to activate the striking mechanism with two gongs batters hours, quarters and minutes. The dial features the hours and minutes, as well as day and month apertures, a perpetual calendar with retrograde date hand and a small seconds subdial with moon phase indicator. Discreet luxury is definitely Patek Philippe’s talent!

Nautilus Ref. 5980/1AR-001

Introduced at Baselworld in 2013, this Nautilus model combines 60-minute and 12-hour counters in a rose gold case with a blue dial. Exhibiting one of the rarest combinations in the increasingly popular world of bimetallic housings, the bracelet of the Ref. 5980/1AR-001 combines stainless steel and rose gold. The case diameter is 40.5 mm, and the caliber is a mechanical self-winding movement with date.

Chronograph and Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5270G-013

A combination of two favorite “large” complications, this Ref. 5270G-013 combines a chronograph and a perpetual calendar. This model has always featured an interesting tachymeter scale, and since it was updated this year, the scale now circles the outside of the dial. Housed in a 41mm white gold case, this chronograph has a central seconds hand and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. Other indicators on the dial are the eternal calendar.