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Source: Hodinkee Source: Hodinkee

Originally published by Benjamin Clymer on Hodinkee.

Vladimir Putin, watch guy. Yup, our president's best frenemy is something of a horological connoisseur, and, as we've reported over the years, his collection includes everything from a Blancpain Aqualung that he wore while signing the treaty to annex Crimea to a range of other watches that make up six times what his declared yearly income is. Today, however, we've found the most impressive and expensive timepiece from the Putin collection, and it's coming up for sale.

Source: Hodinkee

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.

The 5208 is a 42mm watch in platinum with pierced lugs. Source: Hodinkee

The 5208 is a self-winding, minute repeating wristwatch. Source: Hodinkee

As more details become available and the story fills out, we'll be sure to update this posting to provide more context on this most impressive timepiece owned by this most powerful politician. In the meantime, you can check out the lot hereand read more on the 5208P here.

Hodinkee is the preeminent resource for modern and vintage wristwatch enthusiasts. Through in-depth reviews, live reports, and dynamic videos, Hodinkee is bringing watches to a 21st-century audience.



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