An automaton like no other, derived from a 1958 pocket watch, introducing the new Patek Philippe 5249R-001 "The Fox and The Crow" Automaton 

This is no ordinary Patek Philippe.

It represents the Manufacture's first ever contemporary automaton wristwatch. Housed in an 18k rose gold officer circular case, it transforms high horology into living art.

Residing in the official Patek Philippe Museum, this is a mechanical retelling of French poet and fabulist, Jean de La Fontaine’s renowned fable. 

It is a cautionary tale of flattery and wit, where time is not merely displayed but performed on demand.

For the collector who finds standard complications too predictable, this release is the ultimate mechanical encore that leaves standard complications in the shadows.

At Chrono Hunter, we’re always hungry for a masterpiece that bites back, especially one with a £322,940 price tag that will place it firmly on the list of the most expensive watches in Patek’s modern catalogue.

Time to find out more…

The Fable: Le Corbeau et Le Renard

The gold plated dial serves as a breathtaking stage for Le Corbeau et Le Renard (The Crow and the Fox). 

In this classic tale by Jean de La Fontaine, a hungry fox uses silver-tongued flattery to trick a vain crow into dropping a piece of cheese, perched high up on the tree branches.

Patek Philippe brings this to life on an opaline Matara brown canvas. 

When the pusher at 2 o’clock is engaged, calibre 31-260 PS HMD AU awakens the animation: the fox looks up and points to the retrograde hours, while the crow opens its beak to "sing," dropping the cheese to indicate the minutes on a second scale. 

It puts last year’s Solaria from Vacheron Constantin to shame, despite its 41 complications, marking the Manufacture’s 270th anniversary.

PEOPLE ALSO READ: The Top 12 Most Popular Vacheron Constantin Watches For Men 

It is a high-stakes performance of Jean de La Fontaine’s work, proving that a lesson and a timepiece is well worth the price of admission.

Official Specs - Patek Philippe 5249R-001 “The Fox and the Crow” Automaton

Rare Handcrafts: A Louis Cottier Legacy

The craftsmanship here is as sharp as the fox's wit. 

The officer circular case features a sapphire back protected by a rose gold cuvette, allowing for a personalised engraving, a nod to the Louis Cottier era of bespoke horology.

The gold plated Matara brown dial is a masterclass in texture, using various shades of brown enamel and gold leaf to create depth. 

By combining the poetic vision of Jean de La Fontaine with 21st-century micro-mechanics, Patek Philippe has ensured that it remains the apex predator of "Rare Handcrafts."

While brands like Vacheron Constantin excel in bold artistic expressions via their Métiers d’Art series, Patek Philippe balances this audacity with a refined, understated elegance that is unmatched in the "Holy Trinity" 

Conclusion

The new Patek Philippe 5249R-001 "The Fox and The Crow" Automaton is more than a timekeeper.

This luxury timepiece is a 43mm architectural statement for the wrist. From the chocolate brown alligator leather strap to the intricate calibre 31-260 PS HMD AU, every millimetre is a tribute to Jean de La Fontaine’s enduring legacy, teaching us that vanity leads to foolish loss, warning against trusting insincere praise from others.

But this is a masterpiece. 

As prized as being on the Rolex Daytona waitlist, if you are looking to buy a Patek Philippe that transcends the ordinary, the 5249R-001 is the ultimate mechanical icebreaker. 

For those who appreciate the blend of art and audacity, this rose gold beacon was in our humble view the undisputed star of Watches and Wonders 2026.

And we’re not crowing about it either!

Discover, hunt, buy, sell

Images: (Unless otherwise stated) Patek Philippe

Further Reading: 

Read Our Exclusive Rundown Of All Discontinued Patek Philippe Watches

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