Name: Complications World Time Flyback Chronograph
Brand: Patek Philippe
SKU: 5045353
Price: 67950 USD
Availability: InStock

Question 1

Which Patek Philippe references are most associated with salmon or pink dials?

Accepted Answer

The salmon/pink dial appears across a wide range of Patek Philippe references. In vintage, the ref. 130 (stainless steel, 1940s) and the ref. 1518 perpetual calendar chronograph are foundational examples, with only 13 pink-dial ref. 1518s documented. In modern production, key references include the 5270P-001 (the first platinum perpetual calendar chronograph in the 5270 line and the first standard-production 5270 with a rose-gilt dial), the 5172G-010 (a white gold chronograph introduced in 2022), the 5320G-011 perpetual calendar, and the 3940G-029 (a Grand Exhibition special). The 6196P-001 Calatrava, introduced at Watches and Wonders 2025, is the most recent example. Each pre-owned example available at The 1916 Company is authenticated and warranted for two years.

Question 2

What is the difference between a 'salmon' dial and a 'pink' dial on a Patek Philippe?

Accepted Answer

The distinction is rooted in metallurgy. A true salmon dial is produced by electroplating 3N gold, a specific gold-copper alloy, onto a brass dial base. This places the resulting hue precisely between the paler 2N rose gold and the deeper 4N pink gold. Patek Philippe does not use the word 'salmon' in its official references; the brand labels these dials 'rose-gilt opaline' or 'opaline rose-gilt.' The term 'pink dial' is more loosely applied and can describe a broader range of pinkish hues, including dials on rose gold cases where the dial is matched to the case metal. When evaluating a pre-owned Patek Philippe with either description, dial originality and the specific reference history matter considerably.

Question 3

Why do salmon and pink dial Patek Philippe watches tend to trade at higher prices on the pre-owned market?

Accepted Answer

Two factors drive pricing: scarcity and placement. Patek Philippe has historically used salmon and pink dials sparingly. In some cases, only a handful of examples exist for a given reference, as with the 13 known pink-dial ref. 1518 chronographs. When the color does appear, it tends to be on references that are already among Patek's most complicated and limited, such as the perpetual calendar chronographs in the 5270 line or Grand Exhibition specials like the 3940G-029. A 1948 ref. 1518 with a salmon dial sold for $9.6 million at Sotheby's in 2021, the highest price achieved at that auction house that year. The 1916 Company authenticates and warrants all pre-owned Patek Philippe watches for two years, regardless of reference or dial variant.

Pre-Owned Patek Philippe Salmon/Pink Dial Watches