Patek Philippe Unveils a Trio of Grand Complications
Perhaps uncharacteristic for a discrete Geneva watchmaking house, Patek Philippe has released three grand complications at once in a seeming show of strength, leaving watch collectors wondering what the Maison has in store for the 2021 watch season. Elaborating on existing references with new variants of classical complications and lavish applications of the decorative arts, Patek Philippe has created a trio of extraordinary pieces which show its trademark style of evolution within the realm of the classical.
First
released at the Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore in 2019, the Ref. 5303
Minute Repeater Tourbillon has now been transformed into the skeletonized Ref.
5303R-001, featuring hammers and gongs exposed on the watch’s dial side for the
first time. The tourbillon’s cage, likewise, has been discretely put on display
behind the 6 o’clock seconds subdial, and is fully visible from the reverse side.
Featuring a rose gold case with contrasting
white gold minute repeater slide, perhaps the most striking aesthetic addition
to the Ref. 5303 are white gold inlays with foliage-like engravings. Further
reinforcing this natural design theme, the hour and minute hands are crafted in
an Art Nouveau motif and finished in black.
Joining
the Ref. 5303 is the Ref. 5370P-011 Split-Seconds Chronograph. Housed in a
Platinum case, Patek Philippe has enhanced its proprietary calibre CHR 29-535
PS movement with a new blue dial made of 18-karat gold and finished by hand in Grand
Feu enamel. Accenting the dial are applied white gold Breguet numerals and
luminescent-filled leaf shaped hour and minute hands.
A two-phase chronograph movement, the Ref. 5370P-011 is most notably a rattrapante with a pusher built into the crown at 3 o’clock. Replacing its predecessor with a black enamel dial, the Ref. 5370P-011 gives this reference a fresh look in keeping with its sporting functions.
The magnificent trio is completed
with the Ref. 5270J-001 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph with a yellow gold case featuring
beautifully sculpted two-tier lugs and a silvery opaline dial. The Ref.
5270J-001 houses the calibre CH 29-535 PS Q movement, the first chronograph
movement with a perpetual calendar, which was developed by Patek Philippe in 2011
and is entirely manufactured in-house. The movement boasts six patented innovations
and a calendar mechanism composed of 182 parts within a thickness of 1.65 mm.
Showing to the world that it is a
horological force, Patek Philippe has released three of the most desirable collectors’
pieces to be revealed this year, and has set the stage, building anticipation
for what is to come.
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