Patek Philippe introduces two minute-repeating wristwatches with unique cathedral gongs

One of the biggest challenges in watchmaking is to incorporate a minute repeater into the confined space of a wristwatch. The main reason is that there simply isn't enough acoustic volume to achieve a rich, reverberating sound.

Patek Philippe wristwatches with minute repeaters have always been exceptions in this respect: They are justly famous for the sonority of their gongs. Nonetheless, the company's workshops in Geneva embarked on a project to reproduce the even richer timbre of its coveted pocket watches in wrist models as well. The objective was accomplished in 2001 when Patek Philippe introduced the “Sky Moon Tourbillon”, the first minute-repeating wristwatch with a true “cathedral” chime. Now, the same remarkable mechanism has been incorporated into two new self-winding complicated wristwatches: the Ref. 5074 with perpetual calendar and the Ref. 5079.

Patek Philippe Ref. 5074: Wristwatch with minute repeater, cathedral gongs, and perpetual calendar

The new Ref. 5074 wristwatch is a sublimely complex creation which apart from a minute repeater with two magnificently sonorous cathedral gongs also incorporates a perpetual calendar, a 24-hour subsidiary dial, and a moon phase display. The heart of this watch is an R 27 Q caliber. With its 467 parts, it is among the most complicated wristwatch movements ever made. The displays of the perpetual calendar are clearly arranged, using gold hands on three subsidiary dials: the date at 6 o'clock, the day of the week at 9 o'clock, and the month and leap-year cycle at 3 o'clock. Additionally, the dial features the 24-hour indication at 9 o'clock and the curved aperture for the moon phase display at 6 o'clock.

Because the Ref. 5074 is a self-winding watch, an eccentric mass also had to be integrated in the already complex movement. But this challenge was handled very consummately with an off-center minirotor. To assure that it can supply enough energy to wind the movement despite its compact size, the rotor is crafted from 22K gold; the specific gravity of this noble metal, nearly twice that of lead, keeps the watch running with even the slightest movements of the owner's wrist. Because of the compact rotor design, the overall height of the complex movement is only 6.9 millimeters and the 18K yellow gold case - at 12.3 millimeters - is remarkably thin as well. Nonetheless, the 5074 has a stately look: its bezel was widened to accommodate the four coils of the two cathedral gongs. Its see-through sapphire crystal caseback reveals the intricate decorations on the complicated movement. A solid gold caseback is provided as well. The watch is worn with a hand-stitched crocodile strap with an 18K yellow gold clasp.

Patek Philippe Ref. 5079: Wristwatch with minute repeater and cathedral gongs

Patek Philippe's second new minute-repeating wristwatch, the Ref. 5079, conceals its complex inner life within a case of elegant simplicity. An inconspicuous slide on the left-hand side of the case used to activate the strike train is the only feature which tells the connoisseur that this timepiece contains a minute-repeating mechanism. The white dial - with the black hands, Roman numerals, railway-track minute scale, and small seconds at 6 o'clock - is made with traditional enameling techniques. Patek Philippe's commitment to genuine enamel dials is one of the company's many contributions to preserving venerable watchmaking skills that would otherwise disappear due to a lack of demand.

The fact that a very complicated movement with the rich, pure chime of two cathedral gongs is hidden behind such an unassuming dial exemplifies the understatement of Patek Philippe watches, and so does the solid gold caseback. However, this rare timepiece also comes with an interchangeable sapphire crystal back so that its owner can study the aesthetically exquisite movement, a caliber R 27 PS, with its vagues de Genève striping, its delicately engine-turned 22K gold off-center winding rotor, and the gold-plated Calatrava cross that crowns the centrifugal governor. The Ref. 5079 comes with a hand-stitched crocodile strap and an 18K yellow gold clasp.

How sound management decisions are made at Patek Philippe

All Patek Philippe wristwatches with minute repeaters must pass a final test before they are handed over to their future owners. Ever since the company began to regularly craft these treasured timepieces in 1989, not a single one has left the workshop before Philippe Stern, the company's president, deems it worthy of chiming the hour. In the tranquility of his office, he listens to the sounds of each watch to make sure it has the inimitable richness of timbre that like the Calatrava cross has become a trademark for Patek Philippe wristwatches with minute repeaters.

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(refer to europastar.com)

Source: Patek Philippe press release
September 2002