Monday, December 31, 2012

Nicolas Cage Patek Philippe Reference 3970


...Patek Philippe Coolness...


Academy Award Winner For Best Actor

Nicolas Cage


Patek Philippe Reference 3970
Yellow Gold Triple Date Chronograph

Nicolas Cage is an American actor, director and producer who has appeared in over 60 films including Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Rumble Fish, The Cotton Club, Birdy, Face Off, Adaptation, City Of Angels, Matchsick Men, National Treasure and The Rock. Nicolas Cage won an academy award in 1995 for Best Actor in the movie Leaving Las Vegas. He is the nephew of director, Francis Ford Coppola, and ironically he was born Nicolas Coppola on January 7, 1964, but changed his name at an early age.




I remember one night in San Francisco, many years ago, noticing Nicolas Cage in Tower Records down near Fisherman's Wharf. He was shopping for CDs and like myself, was seriously stocking-up on CDs. My favorite Nicolas Cage movie was the 1990 classic, Wild At Heart.

For some reason, Nicolas Cage kind of reminds me of Charlie Sheen, in the sense they are kind of both bad-boys of Hollywood. And if you are not aware, Charlie Sheen is a huge Patek Philippe fanatic of the highest order! By the way, they costarred together in the 1993 movie, Deadfall. In the photos below we get a close-up of Nicolas Cage's Patek Philippe 3970, which is the same model that musician John Mayer also wears.


Nicolas Cage has a great voice and you can check him out in these Letterman interviews.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Patek Philippe & Co 1905 Chronometro Gondolo Top Winder


Patek Philippe & Co
1905 Chronometro Gondolo Top Winder
White Porcelian Dial with Painted Roman Numerals
18kt Yellow Gold

Have you ever wondered where the modern wrist watch design came from? The first wrist watches were essentially pocketwatches, with lugs soldered onto them, and here is a superb example of what is likely one of the first men's wrist watches ever made. This rare example was made by Patek Philippe in 1905!!!! 



This is the earliest example I have ever seen of a wrist watch for whatever it is worth. The photo appears courtesy of Antiquorum. The watch was certified with an extract from the Patek Philippe Archives, and the box in the photos originally came with the watch.




Upon close inspection of the dial we see it has painted radial Roman numerals on the white porcelain dial, with 5-minute Arabic markers, and sunken subsidiary seconds dial which also has Arabic markers in 10-second intervals. Also notice the seconds subdial is wrapped with the"Chronometro Gondolo" designation. 

The dial has the "Patek Philippe & CO" designation, which was changed many years later to simply say "Patek Philppe". The watch has blued steel feuille hands, and the case is 32mm x 10mm




I believe the reason this watch has extended lugs is in order to keep the winding crown far enough away from the top strap, so the wearer could easily wind the watch and change the time. 

Below, we see a side view, which is just amazing!!! I include this watch because if you look at the watch in the story below that shows off Vladimir Putin's Patek Philippe, you will notice his watch has elongated lugs...Man, it's old in Brazil!!!

Friday, August 31, 2012

Vladimir Putin President Of Russia


...Patek Philippe Coolness...

Vladimir Putin
President Of Russia

Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar
[Reference 5039]

Many sources have suggested that Russian President, Vladimir Putin is a big watch collector and it has been speculated that he wears multiple Patek Philippe models. The only challenge is that I have never been able to make a positive ID, which drove me crazy!?! 

That being said, I believe I have narrowed it down, and I believe I can make a positive ID. These first two images show Vladimir Putin wearing some kind of annual or perpetual calendar with Patek Philippe design language written all over it.


In the photos above and below he appears to be wearing a yellow gold Patek Philippe watch. Some people have speculated he is wearing a Patek Philippe Reference 5140. The Patek Philippe Reference 5140 replaced the Reference 3940.

One thing is for certain, and that is his watch has dauphine hands, but I somehow can't get past the lugs. They look very skinny to me, and the size of the watch looks smaller than a 5140. I have ruled out the Patek Philippe 3940 because it has wider lugs. 


There is also another interesting question. In the photo above, the watch Putin is wearing is clearly white gold and in the one below it is clearly yellow gold. I believe this means he owns the same Patek Philippe in both white and yellow gold.



Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar
Reference 5039

In the photo below I am certain Vladimir Putin is wearing a Patek Philippe Reference 5039. I think it is possible in the two photos of him above wearing a Patek Philippe, he could very well be wearing the same 5039 pictured below, and it is possible the hobnail bezel detail got knocked-out by the camera angle, lighting conditions and/or lack of resolution. 

This is my best guess of why we can't see the hobnail bezel detail. If you take a look at the story I did on Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric, you can see him pictured on the cover of his book, and in other photos, where you can see his Patek Philippe, which has the hobnail bezel, but you can't make out the hobnail pattern or details.


The photo below is of a Patek Philippe Reference 5039 in yellow gold. The Reference 5039 has a 240Q caliber movement, and essentially it is identical to a Reference 3940, but with a special rare case that has a hobnail bezel. This watch is magnificently elegant, and has world-leader written all over it.


Here are a several more photos of Russian President, Vladimir Putin wearing his Patek Philippe Reference 5039. This first image of him river rafting while wearing his Patek Philippe ads further confirmation or proof he is indeed wearing a Reference 5039. It is kind of ironic the President of Russia is wearing a super elegant Patek Philippe to go river rafting, but I think it is really cool, and after all there is a sporty elegance to the Reference 5039. This model is waterproof, so why not get it wet.










Patek Philippe Calatrava 5146J


Patek Philippe Calatrava 5146J
Annual Calendar Video Review 

My old friend, Mike just purchased his first Patek Philippe wristwatch and it is an absolute beauty. Mike is best known in the online watch community by his online handle of "BSOD Mike." In this video, Mike shares his impression of his new beauty, with Frank Sinatra's "My Way" playing in the background, which is a classic and meaningful as Mike's new grail Patek Philippe. For a watch enthusiast/collector, there in no higher high than finally attaining a grail watch as we get to witness first hand with Mike.

Tenzing Norgay's autobiographer, James Ullman once wrote "It is the ultimate wisdom of the mountains, that a man is never more of a man, than when he is reaching for something just outside his grasp," which is profoundly true. In this case (no pun intended) Mike reached his goal! Congratulations Mike!!! Wear it well!!! Cheers!!!!!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Thierry Stern from BaselWorld 2012


Thierry Stern from BaselWorld 2012

Monday, June 4, 2012

Queen Elizabeth Custom Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse...


Today is Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, so I thought I would post this story that shows her wearing her diamond Patek Philippe.

Queen Elizabeth
Custom Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse
with 30 Diamond Bezel

In the 1984 photo below we see Queen Elizabeth with her husband, Prince Philip. Queen Elizabeth is wearing her Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse wristwatch. Queen Victoria was the first Royal–in 1851–that wore a Patek Philippe & Company watch, as did her husband, Prince Albert.




Queen Elizabeth's son, Prince Charles put together this absolutely amazing tribute documentary about his mother.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Ultra-Rare Patek Philippe Black Dial Moonphase Reference 2438-1: 38MM


Ultra-Rare Patek Philippe 
Black Dial Moonphase
Reference 2438-1: 38MM

You are looking at one of the most beautiful and collectable Patek Philippe watches in the world.  The Reference 2438-1 with a black dial is Ultra-Rare. Complicated Patek Philippe Moonphase watches with black dials are very rare and beautiful. In my mind, black dials give the watch a sophisticated nighttime kind of vibe. 

This beauty has luminous hands and indices which are not easy to see in this photo. This beauty was originally retailed by Holscher, thus the designation under the moonphase. I believe this watch was manufactured and sold in the mid to late 1950s.


One of the features that differentiate Jake's Patek Philippe World from any other Patek Philippe publication, is that I primarily publish watches I really like the design of, which is why I primarily publish images of complicated Moonphases. 

If you examine the banner at the top of Jake's Patek Philippe world, you will notice on the left side there is another black dial Patek Philippe Moonphase, because this is one of my favorite looking watches. The design and coloring of this watch just blows my mind!!!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Reference 5396 Behind The Wheel Of a Porsche


...Patek Philippe Wrist Shot Of The Day...

Reference 5396 Behind The Wheel Of a Porsche

Friday, April 20, 2012

Extremely Rare Patek Philippe 1939 Platinum Reference 570


Extremely Rare Patek Philippe
1939 Platinum Reference 570
Unique Astronomic, Minute Repeater with Moonphase

Marcello is a fan of Jake's Patek Philippe World and he just wrote in from Italy to say:

"Very impressive Patek Philippe blog! Loved the 1591 and the platinum 2497s. Check out this one, my personal favorite ever, now in the Patek museum. It's ref 570 and it should be a good fix to your obsession anyways."

Well Marcello, you are absolutely correct!!! What a treat!!! I have never seen this watch, and I am blown away!!! I realize the quality of this photo is not that great, but what an amazing Patek Philippe!!! This watch sold at an Antiquorum auction in 1996 for 2,093,500 CHF, which is $2.3 Million. In 1996!!! Twelve years ago!!! Can you imagine what this must be worth today!?!


The Antiquorum description reads:

"Patek Philippe & Cie, Geneve, "Calatrava", No. 198340, case No. 618840, completed in 1939. Unique astronomic, minute repeating, platinum gentleman's wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phases, with a heavy platinum bracelet.

C. massive, polished, satined. D. mat silver with applied platinum Arabic numerals + auxiliary seconds dial, outer graduation for the days of the month, apertures for the days of the week, the months and the lunations, the moon disc is made of enamelled platinum. M. 11 '' rhodiumed, "fausses cotes" decoration, 29 jewels, lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance adjusted to heat, cold isochronism and 5 positions, flat balance-spring, repeater on gongs by means of a slide on the band. Dial, case and movement signed. In excellent condition. Diam. 31 mm.

This watch is published in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches", pages 240 - 241. This amazing work of art by Patel< Philippe, of very high quality, is considered as one of the most significant and representative pieces of 20th Century watchmaking. A masterpiece of horological engineering, execution and creative skill. This watch is also published in "Watches " by George Daniels and Cecil Clutton and it is the only prestige wristwatch illustrated in this "bible" of horological literature. 

This watch was formed in the Bloomfield collection, San Diego, CA. This piece was sold by Antiquorum on 4 October 1981 for the amazing sum of SFr. 185 ' 000. This price and this record triggered the outbreak of the collectors' wristwatch market. As a comparison with some of the most collectable wristwatches, hereunder are their 1981 estimates: - Patel< Philippe astronomic gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phases, Ref. 1526: SFr. 16'000 - 20'000 - Patel< Philippe astronomic gold wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, tachometer, perpetual calendar and moon phases, Ref. 1518: SFr. 25'000 - 30'000 (This particular example is extremely rare with a "Champagne" dial !) - Patek Philippe self-winding gold wristwatch with enamel dial, Ref. 2526: SFr. 3'800 - 4'200 - Patek Philippe gold waterproof wristwatch with round button chronograph, register and tachometer, Ref. 1463: SFr. 5'500 - 6'500 - Patek Philippe gold wristwatch with split-second chronograph, register and tachometer, Ref. 1436: SFr. 13'000 -16'000 - Breguet No 2926, unique Art Deco platinum, "Perpetuelle a Masse", self-winding wristwatch with date and power reserve indicator: SFr. 9'000 - 12'000. 

This watch, lot 172 of The Art of Breguet" sale in April 1991, by Antiquorum, so ten years later, was sold for SFr. 126'500! This comparison fully demonstrates the extraordinary price reached by this exeptional wristwatch in 1981. It is the first time since 1981 that this watch reappears on the Auction Market and since then wristwatches have enjoyed an ever increasing fascination for collectors all over the world."

Saturday, March 10, 2012

First Ladies Grand Complication Reference 7140R-001 Rose Gold



Patek Philippe BaselWorld 2012 Coverage

...Patek Philippe Introduces...

First Ladies Grand Complication
Reference 7140R-001 Rose Gold
35.1 MM Perpetual Calendar: Caliber 240Q
68 Diamond Bezel with Opaline Dial

This is a revolutionary watch introduction for Patek Philippe since it represents the very first Grand Complication they have ever made for women. Very pretty!!!

All New Grand Complication Tourbillon with Minute Repeater Reference 5207R-001 Rose Gold



Patek Philippe BaselWorld 2012 Coverage

...Patek Philippe Introduces...

All New Grand Complication Tourbillon with Minute Repeater
Reference 5207R-001 Rose Gold
41MM Annual Calendar: Caliber RTO 27 PS QI

Patek Philippe just introduced this new model at BaselWorld 2012 and it is a Reference 5207R-001 in Rose Gold, and it looks great!!!


All New Reference 5396 Patek Philippe Models



Patek Philippe BaselWorld 2012 Coverage

...Patek Philippe Introduces...

All New Reference 5396 Patek Philippe Models
38MM Annual Calendar
With Matching Bracelets

Patek Philippe introduced two new versions of their Reference 5396. These new models come with a bracelet, and the Rose Gold model [Reference 5396/1R-001] comes with a brown sunburst dial. The White Gold model [Reference 5396/1G-001] comes with a blue Sunburst dial.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Reference 5940J-001 Yellow Gold



Patek Philippe BaselWorld 2012 Coverage

...Patek Philippe Introduces...

All New Perpetual Calendar
Reference 5940J-001 Yellow Gold
37 x 44.6 MM: Caliber 240Q

Patek Philippe just introduced this new model at BaselWorld 2012 and it is a Reference 5940-001 in Yellow Gold, with a 1930s Art Deco "Turtle" shaped case.




Thursday, March 8, 2012

...Patek Philippe Super-Coolness Ringo Starr Patek Philippe Aquanaut


A 3RD Beatle Wearing Patek Philippe!!!!

...Patek Philippe Super-Coolness

Ringo Starr

Patek Philippe Aquanaut
Stainless Steel: Reference 5167A

Once again, I am at a loss for words!!! They say the third time is a charm, and I can't believe it, but I found a third Beatle wearing a Patek Philippe!!!! First I found John Lennon sporting a Patek Philippe [Reference 2499], then I found Sir Paul McCartney sporting a stainless steel Patek Philippe Aquanaut [Reference 5167A].

Just a few hours ago, I posted a photo of Sir Paul McCartney on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine sporting his Patek Philippe Nautilus, and now we have Ringo Starr sporting his Patek Philippe Aquanaut. I imagine now, the quest begins to find the fourth Beatle, George Harrison, sporting a Patek Philippe!!!




I have many more images of Ringo Starr wearing his Patek Philippe, and as time permits, I will publish them in the future. If you examine closely and zoom in on this next classic image of Ring Starr with his trademark "Peace" sign, you can see he is wearing his Patek Philippe. It is fascinating to consider the two remaining Beatles, both wear the exact same Patek Philippe watch model!?!?!?!!!! What are the odds?



The Beatles
1960 to 1970

The Beatles are considered by many to be the greatest pop band that ever existed. I have a Beatles pictorial on Jake's Who Knew World that walks you through their amazing assent.


In the famous Henry Benton Beatles Pillow Fight photo, Paul, John and Ringo are attacking George. It is fascinating to consider the top three guys in this photo all have worn Patek Philippe watches. As I mentioned earlier, all I have to do now is find a photo of George Harrison wearing a Patek Philippe!!!!


Sir Paul McCartney On The Cover Of The Rolling Stone Patek Philippe Aquanaut


Sir Paul McCartney
On The Cover Of The Rolling Stone
March 2012 Cover

Patek Philippe Aquanaut
Stainless Steel: Reference 5167A

I first discovered Sir Paul McCartney wearing his Patek Philippe Aquanaut back in October of 2011 and wrote a story about it. Ironically, I had just run a story about fellow Beatle, John Lennon wearing his Patek Philippe [Reference 2499]. On the cover of the March 2012 cover we see Sir Paul McCartney sporting his Patek Philippe Aquanaut [Reference 5167A].


Nadav Kander took the photo of Paul McCartney at Abby Road Studios which appears on the cover of the March 2012 Rolling Stone.



We also see Paul McCartney wearing his Patek Philippe at the 54th Grammy Awards Show, pictured below with Bruce Springsteen.


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Patek Philippe Museum Tour


Patek Philippe Museum Tour

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