Patek Philippe’s Sky Moon Tourbillon: A Masterpiece of Art and Engineering

The Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref 6002G-001 is one of the most complex and exquisite watches ever made by the Swiss luxury brand. It features 12 complications, a double-faced case, and a stunning enamel decoration. Here are some of the highlights of this remarkable timepiece.

A Hand-Engraved Case with Grand Feu Enamel

The 44mm white gold case of the Sky Moon Tourbillon takes 100 hours to engrave by hand with intricate volutes and arabesques. The front dial combines Grand Feu champlevé and cloisonné enameling, a technique that requires firing the enamel at high temperatures several times to achieve the desired colors and effects. The result is a rich and vibrant display of blue, white, and gold, with gold applied Roman numerals and hands.

Patek Philippe’s Sky Moon Tourbillon: A Masterpiece of Art and Engineering
Patek Philippe’s Sky Moon Tourbillon: A Masterpiece of Art and Engineering

A Tourbillon Movement with 12 Complications

The Sky Moon Tourbillon is powered by a manual-winding movement that comprises 705 separate components and 24 bridges. It features a tourbillon, a device that counteracts the effects of gravity on the accuracy of the watch, and a minute repeater, a mechanism that chimes the hours, quarters, and minutes on demand. The movement also incorporates a perpetual calendar with retrograde date hand, a moon phase indicator, and hours and minutes of mean solar time.

A Celestial Display on the Reverse Side

The reverse side of the Sky Moon Tourbillon reveals a spectacular celestial display that shows the sidereal time, the sky chart, the phases and orbit of the moon, and the meridian passage of Sirius and the moon. The sky chart is customized to the owner’s location and can be adjusted by using a special tool provided by Patek Philippe. The movement also has a third wheel in gold and a flywheel to regulate the speed of the minute repeater.

A Rare and Valuable Collector’s Item

The Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref 6002G-001 was launched in 2013 as a successor to the Ref 5002, which was discontinued in 2011. Only two pieces are produced per year, making it one of the rarest and most coveted watches in the world. In 2023, Christie’s Hong Kong sold one of them for nearly $6 million to an online bidder, setting a new record for an online watch auction. The watch also comes with a pair of matching cufflinks that are hand-engraved with the same motifs as the case.

The Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon is a masterpiece of art and engineering that showcases the brand’s expertise and craftsmanship. It is a watch that transcends time and space, offering its owner a glimpse of the heavens on their wrist.

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