As you may have seen from our stories on Instagram, we flew to Tokyo these days to take you on a tour of the sixth Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition to be held June 10-25, 2023. During this edition of the Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023, we had the opportunity to admire the most historic and rare models of the maison.
Also not to be missed was the unveiling of four new limited edition complicated watches to celebrate the excellence of the manufacturer. Let us now discover them all in detail within this article.
The Quadruple Complication Ref. 5308P-010
As its first new model, the Geneva-based manufacturer has unveiled a watch featuring a quadruple complication that encompasses the minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, and instantaneous perpetual calendar with windows.
Made in a total of 15 pieces worldwide, this new watch with ref. 5308P-010 is derived from the previous Triple Complication with ref. 5208 to which the split-seconds function was added.
The chronograph information is shown on the counters at 3 o’clock (60-minute counter) and 9 o’clock (12-hour counter) on the opaline rose gold dial.
In the upper part, however, it is possible to observe the instantaneous perpetual calendar indications: between 10 and 11 o’clock is the day window, 12 o’clock is the date window, and between 1 and 2 o’clock is the month window.
In the lower part of the dial, however, it is possible to observe the continuous seconds counter with the moon phase indicator inside. By means of the slide located on the left edge of the 42 mm diameter platinum case, the minute repeater function can be activated.
Bringing the watch to life is the new automatic caliber R CHR 27 PS QI visible through the sapphire crystal case back with a personalization bearing the inscription “Patek Philippe Tokyo.” Matching the case material is also an interchangeable case back engraved with the same wording as on the sapphire crystal case back. Completing the watch, in perfect contrast to the color of the quadrate, is a shiny chocolate brown alligator leather strap.
Minute Repeater World Timer ref. 5531R-014
As a second model, also in a limited edition of 15 pieces worldwide, Patek Philippe presented a variant of one of the watches that I consider to be the most fascinating of the maison in terms of complications and dial workmanship.
This is the new ref. 5531R-014 with a 40.2 mm diameter case in rose gold which reveals fantastic edge finishes.
In the center of the dial of this “hours of the world” watch we can admire the hand-decorated Grand Feu cloisonné enamel depicting the historic district of Chuo in the heart of Tokyo. On the outside of the dial decoration, on the other hand, are the hour disc and city discs where the name “Tokyo” appears in red to recall the limited edition dedicated to the Japanese city.
Animated by the new self-winding caliber R 27 HU, this Patek masterpiece is a worthy successor to the ref. 5531 launched in 2017 and encompasses the same complications as its predecessor, namely the minute repeater that always chimes local time and the ability to display the time of various cities around the world indicated on the dial.
Through the custom sapphire crystal case back (interchangeable with a rose gold one supplied with the watch), it is possible to admire the full architecture of the fantastic manufacture caliber as well as the finishing touches made by the house’s skilled watchmakers.
Completing the watch is a hand-sewn brown alligator leather strap with a rose gold déployant clasp.
World Timer ref. 5530
In addition to the model equipped with universal time and minute repeater, Patek Philippe also presented a new variant of the iconic Hours of the World model.
This is a watch made in three hundred pieces that is distinguished by a patented world novelty: the date display indexed to local time, i.e., that of the selected time zone at 12 o’clock, indicated by the central hands.
In order to develop this innovative function, the company had to make a new ultra-thin (240 HU C) self-winding caliber equipped with a patented differential system capable of handling the local time date. The real icing on the cake, which I find really well done, is the making of the dial a fantastic plum color with a hand-decorated center with a guilloché finish.
As a nod to the Japanese city, in addition to the name “Tokyo” in red (as in the world hours and minute repeater model), there is a red rising sun, Japan’s emblem, on the 24-hour disc, replacing the traditional symbol of the Sun indicating daylight hours.
Accompanying the fully polished 40 mm diameter white gold case with curved double godron lugs is a glossy black alligator leather strap with handmade plum-colored stitching.
Lady Moonphase ref. 7121
Patek Philippe also presented a very interesting watch for its female audience. I am talking about the new model of “jewel-watch” equipped with moon phases that will be made in a total of 200 pieces.
This new watch, heir to a model launched in 2022, features an elegant pearl gray soleil dial encased in a 33 mm diameter white gold case embellished with a bezel composed of a double row of 132 brilliant-cut diamonds.
At the bottom of the dial, inside the continuous seconds counter, is the moon phase disc, which has a deviation of only one day over 122 years. Paired with the white gold “Poire” hour and minute spheres are Breguet-style numerals made of the same material.
Through the custom sapphire crystal case back, it is possible to see the movement that gives life to this jewel watch. It is the hand-wound caliber 215 PS LU, which is Patek Philippe’s smallest complicated movement. Complementing the entire design of the watch is the alligator strap with large square scales in a shiny pearl gray color.
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