Ronwatch
2
Great post and pics. It is my understanding that the original champleve enamel technique was used into, but not past the 1950's. These discs featured the stars and moon in relief as they were under the champleve enamel layer and consisted of the polished gold dial blank. In the next decade, they moved from this intensive process to using a blue lacquer, replacing the enamel. Eventually the discs became stamped like present times. There is nothing like the original champleve enamel and decalque craftmanship seen on original references featuring a moon phase dial.
Patek Philippe Moonphase
Vintage Patek references up until the 3970/3940 boasted a very rich enamel moonphase with handcrafted accompanying gold stars and moon disc. For reference, slide 2 of this post shows a 2499 moonphase and slide 1 is of a 3970 moonphase. The enamel moonphas...
Many thanks H_A for this very interesting post on moon phases ! By reading it and seeing your photos, I am literally
“over the moon” 🌝! Had no idea that there is such mystery behind this function. Do you have any comments on the 5575 moon vs the 6002’s ? Also, please share more information about your commissioned 5004.
Really pleased you enjoyed this post!
I let the 5575 and 6102 out as they are quite special moonphase designs that deserve a more in-depth exploration. Essentially the 5575 and 5102/6102 are quite isolated cases. The 5575 is a very special moonphase with its photorealistic depiction but it do...
Are the 5105/6105 monophases a different style from the ones on 990, 5001, 5002, and 6002?
They look the same to me
Thanks my friend for such a beautifully-written and informative post -- besides of course the pleasure of seeing these unique pieces you have commissioned, this is simply the best article I have read on this specific theme!
If I had to give ONE reason why I love Patek, it is their unique attention to details....The level of sophistication they have reached in representing the moonphase on these references, and how it evolved over time, is simply breathtaking! If someone wond...
Wow! Thank you for such a beautiful comment and indeed for the Editors Picks promotion
It was quite a gruelling affair writing this post as there were so many transitional references. So many exceptions to the rule. But I’m glad you found this a helpful article on the topic. Despite the difficulties, I really enjoyed this project
All amazing...
...but the 2499j first series really stands out for me because of the orientation of the date numerals. I wish they did that on all of their calendar watches. Plus, it looks like the stars were hand-painted...very beautiful.
What’s even better is that they engraved the enamel to fill in the stars!
They really really pop against the dial. Truly something special. I would love for them to make a return. At least on the special moonphase watches. Nice to see enamel did grace the 6002 moon!
Many thanks for this very interesting, thoughtful written post
full of information and impressive pictures. One question to the first picture (2499j 4th series Tiffany): are there some scratches on the stars or is this just due the light? All the best Thomas
Many thanks for this very inspiring post which obviously resonates a lot with my taste
To my eyes moon phase is a very beautiful and poetic complication (maybe not the most useful but the nicest imho). And since I agree with you PP makes the most beautiful moon phase obviously I tried to capture their beauty... I'll start with my Wonder Wat...
Such a nice collection of incredible watches.
You really do have superb taste. That 3448 especially is really something! Thank you also for the pictures!
Many thanks for the very kind words
I must admit that I consider myself lucky to own them, that 3448 that I call my Wonder Watch is my pride, but it us just nothing compared with your jaw dropping collection. Your collection of 2499 is totally absolutely stunning incredibly amazing 😳
Thank you for this informative post
This is why I love the Purists always something interesting you never would of thought about pops up.
Thank You!
This information is SO interesting. The early moon phase watches with the blue enamel are fantastic. Thank you for posting this!
My absolute pleasure. While I do enjoy the entire evolution of styles, the enamel moonphase disc was something truly worthy of admiration.
The way it pops against the dial is the stuff of dreams
Dear HA, thanks for the very informative post on the various versions of moonphase.
Regrettably all my PP references belong to post 3970 era, hence the gold evaporated moon/ stars by photographic mean, and less poetic…
My pleasure! Nothing regrettable about it! Still special in its own unique way.
I mean of course enamel is truly something, but a nice frosted moon or a polished one with stars with black borders? They’re cool buddy. I would love to see a return to enamel for high end pieces like in the 6002
Dear HA - for me the moonphase function of Patek perpetuals and perpetual chronos is their least practical complication, HOWEVER in many ways
it is the most appealing and romantic of the complications. I imagine only a tiny percentage of watch enthusiasts follow and use the moonphase function for a practical purpose in their every day lives. Yet, it adds true artistry (especially the enameled v...
1) firstly, what a watch!
2) secondly, yep, what a fantastic watch 3) thirdly, thank you my friend for the super kind words. Really means a lot to me!!
Thank you for the compliment. Was very surprised and happy to find a 3448 in this condition. I look forward to your next scholarly article!
If I you don’t’ mind my suggesting, I have an idea for a topic. Most collectors fall into the vintage OR modern/current categories. You have a cross section of the best of vintage (eg 2499), modern (eg 5970) and current (eg 5270). It would be interesting ...
Thank you for the compliment! I totally get what your saying. When I look at the image I posted even though it is my watch, I don’t think “wow this is really beautiful”.
It does look very understated. Some might say a bit plain. In person however it is a different story. So far I have not been able to fully capture its beauty in a photo. I guess it is much better to look great in person than only look great in a photo. Be...
You are definitely right, pictures hardly do justice to the Wonder Watch
Yet your pics are quite nice my friend
Big big congrats on your Wonder Watch, always nice to see this beauty ;-)
Your 3448 must be a 4th series I assume (after 1978 am I correct ?) I fully agree on all what you say about the moon phase complication: most people even do not bother to set it but just want to see this romantic complication on their wrist. I'll add some...
As promised here are some more pics of mine…
The enamel moon phase is just incredible, small date ring and pearl minute divisions from the early versions, and the special PP crown only found on the earliest ones… ...
Awesome post...
...someday when I get the energy I hope to do a similar post about typography. For the record, I love the way the numbers are oriented in the photo ' 2499j 1st series'
Thanks for this..
It’s interesting to see how the MP disc has evolved over time Recently i chanced up on 5970G with frosted MP, I always thought since they were earlier in the production they were all in mirror finish.. ...
It's the contributions like that that make this site the best watch site on the Web!
Thank you so much for posting, I have had an enjoyable read!
Now we’re talking..
This thread is like a moment of zen after all the recent uh turbulence
wow it's like a visit to Mt. Olympus
Thanks for this incredible overview of special special watches
THE 4th series 2499 w/stamp
Wow 🤯…this is an amazing write-up and concise thread on this amazing series. The 4th series 2499 w/Tiffany Stamp is also the same reference that Yoko Ono purchased for John Lennon. I’m sure there are very few examples of this. When John Lennon’s 2499 fina...
Fantastic post that I will for sure study again
Also interesting to read all the knowledgeable comments you triggered with your super post. Many many Thanks. Pelle