Patek Philippe's 'first fully automatic chronograph watch' could bring $60,000

This innovative Ref 5960 is returning home to Geneva... With a significantly larger price attached

Hôtel des ventes de Genève in Switzerland's sale next Thursday, December 9, will include a number of luxury wristwatches - and among them is a gem from Geneva, a Patek Philippe platinum watch, ref. 5960P-001.

Ref 5960 first appeared in 2006 and is the first fully automatic chronograph wristwatch that Patek Philippe ever developed.

Original quirks to the watch's design include presenting its chronograph as one meter, instead of the usual three subsidiary dials.

Marked with the Geneva seal, the Patek's features include automatic movement, an annual calendar and fly back chronograph indicating its power reserve at 12 o'clock. As is tradition, both the watch's dial and movement is signed "Patek Philippe."

The Patek Philippe platinum watch, ref. 5960P-001 ($40,000-60,000)

Luxury accompanies the watch's functionality in the form of 40 jewels and a 21ct gold rotor. Its dial is anthracite (hard mineral coal), with index "shells" and white gold leaf hands.

Glass on the back reveals the timepiece's movement, while the case measures 40mm in diameter.

Clasped in a black crocodile leather strap and sold inside a wooden display box, the watch will be sold with a certificate of origin dated February 18, 2009, documentation in an original leather pouch and a pre-sale estimate of 40,000-60 000 CHF (just over $40,000-60,000).

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Images: Hôtel des ventes de Genève