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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Perpetual calendar wristwatch

Patek Philippe Reference 5040 Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch

Partially verified

This Patek Philippe Reference 5040 is an 18k yellow gold tonneau-shaped perpetual calendar wristwatch dating to circa 1997. Measuring 36 mm in diameter according to the auction description, the watch features a silvered dial with applied Breguet-style numerals, leaf-shaped hands, and three subsidiary dials indicating the day combined with a 24-hour display, month combined with leap-year cycle, and date with moon phases. The source notes the watch is powered by the automatic caliber 240 Q with 27 jewels, numbered 773'479, inside case number 2'923'307 with a snap-on back, and is secured on a brown leather strap with an 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle.

Front view of the Patek Philippe Reference 5040 perpetual calendar wristwatch in 18k yellow gold
Front view of the Patek Philippe Reference 5040 perpetual calendar wristwatch in 18k yellow gold — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Wristwatch · Perpetual calendar wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Patek Philippe
Reference
5040
Catalogue / lot identifier
20
Source-reported date
Circa 1997
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
2’923’307

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Form and Dial Layout

This Patek Philippe Reference 5040 features a curved, tonneau-shaped 18k yellow gold case described in cataloguing as measuring 36 mm in diameter. Direct front-facing observation shows a smooth, rounded bezel framing a silvered dial, a winding crown positioned at 3 o'clock, and downward-curving lugs fitted with a brown leather strap showing an alligator scale pattern.

The dial displays applied gold-toned Breguet-style numerals paired with central leaf-shaped hands. The perpetual calendar indications are distributed across three subsidiary dials: an aperture at 9 o'clock integrates the day register with a 24-hour cycle, the 3 o'clock sub-dial tracks the month and a 4-year leap cycle, and the 6 o'clock register presents the date ring encircling a moon-phase aperture.

Evidence for this section
  • “Tonneau-shaped yellow gold case with a smooth bezel and crown at 3 o'clock.”
  • “Silvered dial with applied gold-toned Breguet-style numerals and leaf hands.”
  • “Sub-dials at 9 o'clock (day and 24-hour register), 3 o'clock (month and 4-year leap cycle), and 6 o'clock (date and moon-phase aperture).”

Reported Movement and Classification

According to the auction cataloguer, the watch is powered by an automatic caliber 240 Q movement equipped with 27 jewels and bearing movement number 773’479. The internal movement and its markings are enclosed within a solid snap-on case back stamped with case number 2’923’307.

The cataloguing dates the piece to circa 1997 and classifies it as a second series example within the broader 1992 to 2007 production window of Reference 5040. Sotheby's notes the reference is signed across the case, dial, and movement, and states this specimen is secured by an 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle.

Evidence for this section
  • “Caliber: cal. 240 Q automatic, 27 jewels”
  • “Movement number: 773’479”
  • “The current watch is a second series watch and is cased in yellow gold.”

Documentation and Evidentiary Boundaries

Physical inspection is restricted to a single frontal photograph of the assembled watch. Consequently, mechanical health, internal movement finishing, case-back stamps, and buckle hallmarks are not visible in the provided image and rely entirely on the auction house report.

The lot does not include a presentation box according to the source. Accompanying documentation is confined to secondary paperwork, listed in cataloguing as a duplicate of the Certificate of Origin and a copy of the original Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin.

Evidence for this section
  • “Box: no”
  • “Papers: duplicate of Certificate of Origin (see images)”
  • “Accessories: Copy of original Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin”

Open research questions

  • What specific date of sale and original retailing agent are recorded on the duplicate Certificate of Origin?
  • What specific criteria or dial/case features identify this example as belonging to the second series of Reference 5040?
  • What are the precise exterior lug-to-lug and width dimensions of this tonneau case beyond the reported 36 mm diameter?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe Reference 5040 Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Calibercal. 240 Q automatic, 27 jewels“Caliber: cal. 240 Q automatic, 27 jewels”
Movement number773’479“Movement number: 773’479”
Case18k yellow gold, snap-on case back“Case: 18k yellow gold, snap-on case back”
Case number2’923’307“Case number: 2’923’307”
Size36 mm diameter“Size: 36 mm diameter”
Series designationSecond series“The current watch is a second series watch and is cased in yellow gold.”
SignaturesSigned case, dial and movement“Signed: case, dial and movement”

Visible details

  • Tonneau-shaped yellow gold case with a smooth bezel and crown at 3 o'clock.
  • Silvered dial with applied gold-toned Breguet-style numerals and leaf hands.
  • Sub-dials at 9 o'clock (day and 24-hour register), 3 o'clock (month and 4-year leap cycle), and 6 o'clock (date and moon-phase aperture).
  • Fitted with a brown alligator-pattern leather strap.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, case back, and buckle details are not visible in the supplied single front photograph; these rely entirely on the auction cataloguer's report.
  • Source notes no presentation box, only a copy/duplicate of the Certificate of Origin.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Patek Philippe | Ref. 5040 | A yellow gold tonneau-shaped perpetual

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e19622407d

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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