Vladimir Putin is something of a horological connoisseur. His collection includes everything from a Blancpain Aqualung that he wore while signing the treaty to annex Crimea to a range of other watches. Today, however, we are going to tell you about the most impressive and expensive timepiece from the Putin’s collection, and it’s coming up for sale.
The watch is none other than a true grand complication Patek Philippe wristwatch—a reference 5208P. The 5208P is one of the most complicated watches Patek has ever made, and it includes a minute repeater, a mono-pusher chronograph, and an instantaneous perpetual calendar. It is one of the most impressive wristwatches in the world, and also one of the most expensive—it costs roughly 980,000 CHF and is offered only to top clients of the brand by application.
The watch was seemingly sold to Mr. Putin at London’s Watches of Switzerland location, though a date is not visible on the documentation. Now, to be clear, it is possible that someone may have filled out the certificate of this watch with Mr. Putin’s name, so there is no way to confirm it was actually sold to him—but that seems unlikely, as Patek Philippe retailers are instructed to print the real name of the purchaser on the papers as the watch is delivered. Still, anything is possible, and Antiquorum’s listing is anything but complete at this moment—further it is hosted on Antiquorum’s new partner in European auctions, Monaco Legends. There is not even an estimate listed on this lot yet, and the auction house is still looking for more consignments for this mid-July sale in Monaco.
Source: www.hodinkee.com
