'Saatchi' Salmon Dial 5070G-014 Patek Philippe Chronograph

To most, the word Saatchi brings to mind an art gallery in London. To watch obsessives, Saatchi is a crowning adjective applied to Patek Philipps through the late neo-vintage era. On the 5070, the Saatchi very much marks the traditional king of chronographs returning to their throne. In 2015, Patek Philippe exhibited at the Saatchi gallery to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the brand. To mark the occasion, a few of their most beloved references were given special treatments for Patek Philippe’s most special clients. Some references were even brought back from the dead; official 5070 production stopped in 2010. There were updated and lightly altered editions of the 5070, 3970, 5970, and 3940 amongst others. We’re talking about life-alteringly beautiful Pateks. This is one of (likely) just 5 Saatchi salmon dial 5070Gs made, which goes by ref. 5070G-014, made in honor of the exhibition.

In 2015 as now, the 5070 is a very significant reference to the brand. You see, chronograph production through the later part of the last century was anything but continuous at Patek Philippe. It went 1463 from the early 1940s until late 60s. Then, well, nothing. Nothing at all for four decades, no humble chronograph was made. The 5070 returned with a Lemania ébauche in 1998. It was also the first chronograph to tip over 40mm, inspired by the 1950s ‘Jumbo’-case, split seconds ref. 2512. It’s a Lemania 2310 dressed to the nines, wearing a Geneva Seal, blue, and platinum. Saatchi, for 5070 and the other references they chose, are the very best from what I’ve begun terming ‘Pre-Thierry’, or some of Patek’s greatest years in the twilight of what the brand was built upon.

For the Saatchi 5070s, there are four known configurations, each made in 5 examples. We’ve seen white gold with a salmon dial. These are heading to be near or north 1M these days. Then there’s a yellow gold with a brown dial, nearer 700k currently. A pink gold with a black dial was made also, little seen. Interestingly there’s a blue dial in platinum, which is visually strangely close production variant, but the dial is considerably lighter for those paying attention. The history and sense occasion these offer hold a huge degree of weight to Patek collectors. And there simply are no more special 5070s.

This example appears in strong condition, worn and with some marks on it absolutely. But the hallmarks are deep and the edges are proud. It comes with its full kit, coming to auction next month.