Ref.5040J Perpetual Calendar Tonneau Shape in Yellow Gold

In fact…

The Patek Philippe Reference 5040, introduced in 1992, marked the brand’s debut of a tonneau-shaped perpetual calendar model. Inspired by the design aesthetics of the 1930s, the case measures 35mm x 42mm and is crafted as a monobloc case, sculpted from a single piece of metal rather than assembled from separate components. Its barrel-like silhouette distinguishes it from the more common round watches, and its restrained proportions exemplify the essence of a classic dress watch.

Manufactured until 2007, the Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 5040J was available in various versions, including yellow, white, and rose gold, as well as platinum. The specific model we are highlighting here is the 18k yellow gold variant. It is estimated that less than 4,000 examples of the Reference 5040, across all material options, were ever produced.

An exceptional aspect of the Reference 5040 is its inclusion of Breguet-style numerals and hands, typically reserved by Patek Philippe for special references. In fact, the 5040 was the first serially produced Patek Philippe perpetual calendar wristwatch to feature Breguet numerals on the dial.

A closer examination of the dial reveals that this particular example features a “sigma dial.” Characterized by the sigma lower case Greek letters framing the “SWISS” label below six, these dial markings were employed by several Swiss watchmakers, including Patek Philippe, from the 1970s until the 2000s to indicate the presence of gold details on the dial. In the case of the Reference 5040, the applied hour markers and hands are expertly crafted from 18k yellow gold.