The Patek Philippe Pagoda reference 5500 was produced in 1997 in a limited edition of 2,000 pieces, made to celebrate the opening of Patek Philippe’s new manufacturing facility in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva. The case, inspired by a 1940s model, has a flared, tiered rectangular shape reminiscent of a pagoda, hence the name. It was made in four metals: yellow gold (1,100 pieces, gold dial), rose gold (500 pieces, silvered dial), white gold (250 pieces, salmon dial), and platinum (150 pieces, black dial). The movement is the manual-wind caliber 215 with Gyromax balance and small seconds at 6 o’clock. Once production ended, the case dies were destroyed, making this reference particularly rare.
This Patek Philippe Pagoda 5500J is a truly exceptional watch that no collector of neo-vintage Patek models should let slip away. The condition is nothing short of exceptional: the watch has never been worn and still has the original seal on the buckle. The set is complete with everything this limited edition should include, missing only the commemorative coin, which was not given to the client at the time of purchase. I can say with confidence that it was not provided because the watch comes from its first owner, who purchased it in 2011 — several years after production had ended, so it was likely one of the unsold examples, or one requested directly from the manufacture at this important client’s request. The same owner purchased all four versions of the Pagoda reference 5500 — yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and platinum. All four warranties are registered under the same person’s name, and all four watches were missing the coin, which the retailer most likely simply forgot to include in the set, given that the sale took place in 2011, many years after these watches were originally sold.
Provenance and condition make this watch an unmissable opportunity for anyone looking for a collector’s 5500J Pagoda.