What does a Patek Minute Repeater sound like?

The time being chimed is 11:58

Eleven Ds, Three F# D, and Thirteen F#

DDDDDDDDDDD F#D F#D F#D F#F#F#F#F#F#F#F#F#F#F#F#F#

A Photographic History of Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronographs

To understand why Patek Philippe is the industry leader requires a separate article which I will write later, but of all the watches that Patek makes, two stand out the most: The perpetual calendar chronograph and the minute repeater. 

Patek made the first perpetual calendar chronograph with ref. 1518 in 1941 and has been making them continuously since. They have all been column wheel chronographs in the most traditional way with the column wheel covered from direct view. Below is a section taken from a Bonham'sauction describing the history of the Patek QP CH (Quantieme Perpetuel, Chronographe)

Ref 1518 from 1941 until 1952 produced in 281 examples 

(WatchTime Magazine)

Ref 2499 from 1950 until 1985 produced in 349 examples
First model with sapphire crystal

(Antiquorum Auction)

Ref 3970 from 1986 until 2005 produced in approximately 4,000 examples 

(HarrisConor Auction)

Ref 5970 from 2005 until 2010 produced in approximately 2,500 examples 

(minutemachines)

Ref 5270 from 2011

(Patek Philippe)

Honorable mention: Patek ref. 5208 (2011) Perpetual Calendar, Chronograph, Minute repeater. Probably the epitome of the brand sans tourbillon. 
Video of a Thierry Stern interview featuring the watch.

Honorable Mention II: 5204 Perpetual Calendar, split seconds chronograph (there are others in this series like the 5004 but these do not belong in the line of perpetual calendar chronographs discussed in this post).

Eric Clapton's Platinum Patek Philippe 2499P at Christie's (and what you could buy instead)

A quick photographic history of Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronographs is here

Christie's auctions have been known to offer some of the rarest and most exceptional watches. This upcoming auction is no exception. While the whole horological world seems to have their eyes set on the platinum Patek Philippe 2499 owned by Eric Clapton (estimate $2,683,456 - $4,293,529), I have my eyes set on a few other very interesting pieces being offered namely the...

Probably the highest resolution photo of the watch in question you'll find anywhere

Eric Clapton wearing the Patek 2499P

Actually during the middle of this post, after researching the 2499 a bit more, the LeCoultre Reverso from 1933 and the Paul Newman Daytona and the Double Red Submariner all seem to matter a lot less than the holy grail that is the 2499P. How could I not geek out about this watch?

At a basic level, the 2499 is a perpetual calendar and a chronograph cased in platinum. At the current market value (1,543 USD/oz) it's worth between 106.34 and 173.91 pounds (or 48 and 79 KG) of pure platinum. A perpetual calendar, while expensive, can be had new for around 10,000 dollars from the respectable Glashutte Original, and a column wheel chronograph from Longines starts at around 3,000 dollars retail. You could even buy this watch in yellow gold for around 300,000 at auction and have a life size platinum statue of yourself made!

Oval Buddha, Platinum plated. Takashi Murakami

So why would anyone on earth buy this instead of a statue that could inspire Shelly into writing Ozymadias? To get the absolute answer you'll probably have to find the anonymous buyer and ask him about it. I think it's fair to say that this watch is so valuable because of the rarity, the beauty, the history, and the craftsmanship - Things you will find in all exemplary watches.

Hodinkee has an excellent article about this watch along with a video