Dear friends, if we believed that the Patek Philippe novelties for this 2022 were over, we were wrong.
A few weeks after 18th of October 2022, the day on which various innovations were presented by the Maison (click here to see them), the Geneva-based manufacture amazed us with four new watches from the “Grand Complications” family enriched from different precious stones.
In a year where it seems that gem sets are becoming the new trend of the market, after Audemars Piguet, Omega and F.P. Journe, someone might think that Patek Philippe has decided to “ride the wave”.
The New Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Haute Joaillerie
Starting from the first two novelties, the Maison has decided to add two Haute Joaillerie versions to what represents the most complicated Patek Philippe wristwatch in production.
We are talking about the Grandmaster Chime in white gold, with reference 6300G-010, which sees the two new models side by side with precious stone sets references 6300/400G-001, for the version with diamonds and, reference 6300/401G-001, for the version with blue sapphires and diamonds.
Created in a limited edition for the 175th anniversary of the manufacture in 2014 and entered into the current collection in 2016, the Grandmaster Chime embodies the pinnacle of watchmaking expression with twenty complications and five striking modes on three gongs.
To add further exclusivity and, from my point of view as a lover of precious gems, further beauty, on the Grandmaster Chime Haute Joaillerie we find 409 baguette-cut diamonds (31.35 ct) for the ref. 6300/400G-001.
To enrich the ref. 6300/401G-001, on the other hand, we find 118 baguette blue sapphires (11.9 ct) on the bezel and, with the same cut, 291 diamonds (20.54 ct) on the rest of the watch.
In both watches, the precious stones are applied according to the “invisible setting” technique.
The double-faced case with a diameter of 49.4 mm is characterized by its patented rotation mechanism which allows you to wear the watch by exhibiting one of the two dials present.
Reading the dimensions of these watches, they may seem exaggerated but, as multicomplicated watches, these are dictated by space requirements for inserting all the components of the 300 GS AL 36‑750 QIS FUS IRM caliber.
In any case, I guarantee you that, beyond constructive requirements, when you have a watch of this kind in front of you, the dimensions take a back seat. It’s impossible not to get lost in admiring the craftsmanship and finishing with which this watch is equipped.
The 1,366-piece hand-wound movement features 20 complications and five sound-related functions. These include a grande sonnerie, a petite sonnerie, a minute repeater and two patented world exclusives: an alarm that strikes the pre-selected time and a repeater for the acoustic indication of the date that can be activated on request.
In addition to the sound complications, in my opinion among the most fascinating in watchmaking, we find a perpetual calendar with a four-digit year display.
All the indications and functions provided by the movement are shown on the two dials with white gold plates finished with an opaline ebony black. On the dial where the time is indicated we find the Breguet numerals applied in gold and a hand-guilloché “Clous de Paris” decoration.
Also on this side are indicated the type of alarm in use (S,G,P), the alarm of the pre-selected time, the on/off indication of the alarm, the date, the indication of the power reserve of the movement and the alarm time, the second time zone, the day/night indicator for the second time zone, the phases of the moon and, finally, the position indication of the crown (R,A,H).
Moving on to the second dial, however, we find the indication of the hour, the date, the month, the day, the cycle of leap years and, finally, the indication of the year with 4 single digits through the window in the centre.
Finished with an alligator strap, the folding clasp is embellished with a diamond setting for the reference 6300/400G-001 and blue sapphires for the reference 6300/401G-001.
Finally, these two new Grandmaster Chime Haute Joaillerie are accompanied by a pair of white gold cufflinks set with a row of baguette-cut diamonds.
New Patek Philippe 5271P gem set
The other two models presented by the Geneva-based Maison, also from the Grand Complications family, are both chronographs with a perpetual calendar and reference 5271. The result of a legacy that the brand has carried with it since 1951 with the launch of the iconic ref. 1518 , the chronograph with perpetual calendar represents a great Patek Philippe classic.
In 2011 this type of watch reached its maximum expression with the CH 29-535 PS Q caliber included in the reference 5270.
Later, in 2014, Patek Philippe decided to reinterpret this watch with a version in platinum and baguette-cut diamonds (ref. 5271P-001). In addition to this watch, currently still in the catalogue, two new variants of the same ref. 5271.
This is the reference 5271/11P-010 embellished with 80 baguette-cut blue sapphires (5.25 ct) set on the bezel, on the attachments of the bracelet and on the folding clasp of the strap.
The same embellishment, but with rubies, again with a baguette cut, can be found in the new reference 5271/12P-010. The intense colors of the gems are taken up by the two blue and red dials, shaded black on the edge and by the contrasting stitching of the shiny black straps.
Thanks to this homogeneity of colors, the two watches are extremely elegant and fascinating. Both made with a 41 mm diameter entirely hand-polished platinum case, the buttons dedicated to the watch functions are satin-finished on the sides and polished above.
The case, as in all the platinum models of the Geneva Maison, features a brilliant-cut diamond set at 6 o’clock.
Inside these new Patek Philippes beats the CH 29-535 PS Q caliber, a real peacemaker for the eyes (after all, we’re talking about Patek Philippe…) containing six patented innovations at the chronograph level. Thanks to the incredible thickness of 1.65 mm of the movement, the overall thickness of the watch is 12.7 mm making it perfect in proportions and, above all, in wearability.
Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, interchangeable with a platinum caseback, the caliber features all the elements of the traditional architecture of this type of movement: manual winding, column wheel and horizontal cogwheel clutch.
Price and availability
The two new Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Haute Joaillerie are priced on request and will be produced in very limited numbers.
As regards the two models with chronograph and perpetual calendar, however, the list price is EUR 334,170.00 each and, as for the other two models, they too will be produced in a very limited number of pieces.
And you, what do you think of these novelties by Patek? Let us know in the comments.
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