It has been some years now since the introduction of the Celestial dial on some Patek Philippe wristwatches.

I have to confess that I’ve never been excessively appealed by these watches. The Star calibre is another subject on the contrary.

Still I’ve realized the extraordinary appeal of a sky map on some serious collectors. This nearly unique feature, nearly specific for Patek Philippe (the Van Cleef is the other one that immediately comes to my mind) has the power to focus the desire of some of the most discerning and satisfied collectors. Why?

One aspect that I easily understand is the fascination for the “outer space”. If I had to choose a dream, walking on the moon would come fast. As I’m certainly not alone, if this dream could turn into reality, I’d be worried about traffic jams on the Earth’s satellite.

So to some extent Tintin may be for something in the appeal for the Patek Philippe Celestial models. Jules Verne is a more serious tempter. More recently Star Wars is a probable source of unconscious appeal building. Are you all Celestial lovers potential Jedi Knights?

In fact the notion of porthole is IMO totally present with this watch. Looking at the watch I feel like I’d be travelling in a spaceship and looking at the “window” to admire the “cyberspace”.

Maybe these watches are the most futuristic timepieces ever conceived?

Maybe they just let us look at the natural landscape we don’t have the capacity to see anymore? I’m sure centuries of lovers have admired the stars, and now we’re so much admiring the car lights on the highway…..

The date (through a central hand) on the new 6104 is a good feature for an everyday use (while the diamond ring may not be). Still I fear that the watch looses too much of its purity and I’d prefer a “simpler” 5102. But that’s not the question!

The 6104 is to some extent the more visible daughter of the unique piece auctioned last year on the same base. It is also thanks to its diamonds a more feminine option (and also thanks to its date, as my wife loves the date function, while I generally dislike it). I’d love to read women’s opinions about this special piece?

Rarity is probably another source of interest as we seem to see so many perpetual calendar chronographs these days….

Not that I don’t like them, I’d really love to wear a 5970P on a daily basis, but I truly believe that the Celestial models are really rare, like the enamel worldtime, while the perpetual calendar chronographs are just sought after! When a watch is rare (and beautiful) each opportunity to see one is more extraordinary, more satisfying.

In fact I love to see celestial models, but that’s a 5131G that I’d like to wear!

Have you ever thought of owning this piece? Do you want to share your motivations, if you’ve realized some?

Cheers

Dje