5016P Patek Philippe Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon

When a Minute Repeater isn't enough, why not add a Tourbillon and QP. That was the logic in 1993, when Philippe Stern determined to go very, very complicated as a means of showing the world Patek Philippe's unwavering dedication to complication. The thing is, repeaters hadn't been a part of the catalogue since near 1960; no one could buy them mid-century. They went periodically extinct, like the simple chronograph there isn't a 70s equivalent. When they came back, it was like a bundle of pent up enthusiasm final got to express itself. Wristwatch repeaters came back in the 1989 ref 3974 and 3979 to celebrate the brand's 150th. A few years later, the mad lads in their complications deptartment came back with this: a Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon.

These were the golden years for serial complication. Even so, just 200 examples of the 5016 were made in all 18 years of production. That's about 11 yearly. This was the piece that the Sky Moon Tourbillon took the reins of most complicated calibre from. It has all the historic nods like a calibre number in the moonphase which old observatory pocket watches did, Breguet numerals, and stepped lugs. Yet, you can't hide the modernity of a retrograde QP and repeater, this never would've been possible without modern engineering and machining techniques. The bones of this 506 component calibre remain relatively unaltered in the 5303, with the exception of the hammer and gongs moving dial-side. 

The 5216 succeeded the 5016, and in the ways you might expect of Thierry term. The case went from 37 to 39.5mm, with the same calibre entirely unaltered. Here, the movement fits the case. The 5216 dial also went for faceted batons with dauphines and a red retrograde hand. Everything about this dial is more pure to my eye, even if both are objectively exceptional pieces. The real kicker though, if you're approaching these two, is that the stepped lugs ran away in 5216, never to be seen. That case doesn't even come close. 

As you might expect, the 5016 is immensely desirable to most, just under the 3974 in terms of how bad everyone wants to get one. The market has centered around 700K at auction in recent years, with black dials leading the charge slightly. It was made in all four metals, though steel was a unique piece. The 3974 is sexier, sure, and JPH is everything. But this case with this absolutely insane calibre and dial are really quite important to the brand. The 5016 didn't just repeat the past pocket watch layout, it improved it drastically. 

This example is coming to auction later this month, with all the words. Case looks great. Dial looks mega. There's nothing to note. Good luck all interested.