Coffee Corner Watch Talk: Patek Philippe Produces Its First-Ever Titanium Ref. 5270 To Be Auctioned For Charity

How was your weekend? The time has come to wear your bright-colored, sporty, and fun spring/summer watches, don’t you think? No, I’m not talking about colorful MoonSwatches, trust me. I will leave that hot topic alone for a bit. But I do have a colorful titanium Patek Philippe with an emerald dial for you. And if you’re in need of some music to ease you into the workweek, there’s also an Audemars Piguet × Mark Ronson project. Breguet, however, likes things quieter, and that’s why the brand is now a partner of Frieze, the global art fair. That gives us plenty to talk about in this edition of Coffee Corner Watch Talk.

First up is a very special Patek Philippe for a special occasion. On November 7th in Geneva, the Children Action 2022 charity auction will take place. To contribute to the cause, Patek Philippe has produced the Ref. 5270T-010 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. Yes, the “T” stands for titanium, a material Patek Philippe unfortunately only uses on very rare occasions. In fact, this is the first titanium version of the legendary Ref. 5270 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph that Patek has ever made. and I have no doubts it will reach an eight-figure price. I base this on the recent auction of a Ref. 2499 “Gobbi” that reached well over US$20,000,000 including fees.

A titanium Patek Philippe for a good cause

The watch features a titanium case with a concave bezel, two-tier lugs with satin-brushed and polished pushers, and an emerald-green sunburst dial that matches the stitching on the shiny black alligator strap. On the back of the watch, you can observe the caliber CH 29-535 PS Q and the metalized inscription “Children Action 2022”.

I don’t know what you did during the weekend, but I sure hope you saw the one-of-a-kind titanium Ref. 5270T in the metal. It was on display before the “Geneva Watch Auction: XV” organized by Phillips Bacs & Russo last Saturday and Sunday at the Hotel La Réserve Genève. If you didn’t see it last weekend, you could of course go to Children Action 2022 in November, either as a potential buyer or a curious watch enthusiast.

Copyright Breguet — Courtesy of Da Ping Luo

Breguet partners up with the Frieze art platform

Breguet just announced a two-year partnership with Frieze, the global art fair. You know Breguet, but do you know what Frieze is? Well, Frieze is a platform for modern and contemporary art. It’s aimed at scholars, connoisseurs, collectors, and the public alike. According to the organization, “Frieze New York brings together over 65 of the world’s leading galleries to showcase ambitious solo, group and themed presentations by pioneering artists and offers the opportunity to not only discover up-and-coming talent but also engage with some of the most important figures in art history. Celebrating the creative spirit of the city, the fair will see a strong representation from New York’s galleries and spaces.”

Frieze in New York

Breguet is no stranger to art — the brand is a major patron of the Louvre, for instance. Now, Breguet has commissioned art by Argentinian artist Pablo Bronstein, which will be presented at Frieze’s five international art fairs — Frieze London, Frieze Masters, Frieze New York, Frieze Los Angeles, and Frieze Seoul. The first fair will be Frieze New York, and it will take place from May 18-22, 2022 at The Shed in Manhattan. This newly-built gallery space is located in Hudson Yards, the cultural center of Manhattan’s New West Side.

For more info about the exhibition, visit the Frieze website.

Audemars Piguet is syncing sounds with producer Mark Ronson

What’s your favorite Mark Ronson song? Mine is “Uptown Funk” featuring Bruno Mars. Anyway, Audemars Piguet just announced a long-term partnership with English-American producer/musician/DJ Mark Ronson. The collaboration with the seven-time Grammy-Award winner kicks off with a three-episode series called Syncing Sounds. The series details the way Ronson composes and produces a song in collaboration with R&B artist Lucky Daye.

According to AP, “Syncing Sounds brings the audience straight to the heart of the collaborative process”, taking place in Ronson’s NYC recording studio. This is actually the place where Amy Winehouse’s Grammy-Award-winning album Back to Black (2006) was recorded. Did you answer “Back to Black” when I asked you about your fave Ronson tune?

Anyway, play some music, have a cup, and enjoy a great watch week! Oh, and I almost forgot. Stay tuned for more on the incredible Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater in titanium with its casual blue dial and strap.

Please find and follow me at Lex Stolk • Instagram