Press Release - March 2010

Patek Philippe converges on chronographs

Patek Philippe converges on chronographs

In March 2010, Patek Philippe presented the long-awaited manually wound CH 29-535 PS chronograph movement with a classic column wheel and a horizontal clutch. It is a caliber developed and crafted entirely in-house. When attentive observers learned that it would debut in a ladies’ model, the Ref. 7071R Ladies First Chronograph, they surmised that they were witnessing a sneak preview. Indeed, the manufacture is revealing its true intentions at Baselworld 2010: a fireworks of chronographs with three different proprietary calibers that is quite likely unprecedented in perfection and scope. It is a manifestation of technical prowess, competence in style, and horological expertise, making 2010 the year of chronographs for Patek Philippe.

Ref. 5170J: Manually wound men’s chronograph

As anticipated by many collectors and connoisseurs, the Ref. 5170J is as classic as chronographs get. It comes in a yellow-gold case with a diameter of 39 mm and embodies the caliber CH 29-535 PS manufacture chronograph movement. The case design of the new Ref. 5170J with the classic round Calatrava style and rectangular pushers is visibly reminiscent of the Patek Philippe’s 1940s chronographs that rank among the most coveted treasures at auctions. The new movement is a thrill for aficionados because it was developed from the ground up in the company’s workshops and closes the last gap in the portfolio of in-house calibers. It is a manually wound two-pusher chronograph movement with column-wheel control and a horizontal clutch. It incorporates 6 patented innovations and numerous technical improvements that pay tribute to modernity, and it runs at a frequency of 28,000 semi-oscillations per hour (4 Hz) for outstanding rate stability.

Ref. 5950A: Split-seconds single push-piece chronograph in a steel case

Launched in 2005, the caliber CHR 27-525 PS split-seconds chronograph movement has just embarked on a new career. Measuring merely 5.25 mm from front to back, it is still the thinnest ever made, and it is still crafted one by one. What is really revolutionary is its steel armor. Patek Philippe has definitely elevated the material of which tools are made to the status of a precious metal. The cushion-shaped case is water-resistant to 30 meters and has a sapphire-crystal display back that exhibits the same camber as the sapphire-crystal glass. The elaborate caliber with its manually chamfered steel parts truly deserves this generous show window. The orchestration of micromechanical art is gracefully complemented on the face of the watch with delicate foliage engravings that adorn the four corners of the dial.

Ref. 5951P: Split-seconds single push-piece chronograph with a perpetual calendar

With this masterpiece, Patek Philippe impressively demonstrates the multiple talents of the CHR 27- 525 PS split-seconds chronograph movement. In the Ref. 5951P, it not only drives the rattrapante chronograph but also controls a perpetual calendar. Because of the unequaled slenderness of the host caliber, it stands to reason that the developers of the calendar cadrature were asked to strive for compactness as well. The result is a stunning movement with an overall height of only 7.3 mm. To salute this extraordinary accomplishment, it is accommodated in a cushion-shaped case made of 950 platinum with a sapphire-crystal display back.

Ref. 5960P: Annual Calendar chronograph in platinum with a new dial

This watch, combining two of the most popular horological complications, has ranked among of the manufacture’s bestsellers since it was launched in 2006. With a polished platinum case and a matt blue sunburst dial, it now has a new look with a new face that ideally complements the two predecessor models. With its column-wheel mechanism, the CH 28-520 IRM QA 24H manufacture movement relies on the classic chronograph control concept that is a must in this segment. It is endowed with two contemporary assets as well: it features a horizontal disk clutch and is self-winding. The perfect finissage of the movement with hand-chamfered steel levers and bridges as well as elegant Geneva striping deserve the exposure provided by the screwed case back with a sapphirecrystal window.

Ref. 5980R: Nautilus chronograph in rose gold 5N on a leather strap

For the very first time, Patek Philippe is presenting the casually elegant Nautilus chronograph on a brown leather strap in a precious-metal case. 18K rose gold 5N has a more reddish and thus masculine hue than conventional rose gold. The same gold alloy is also used for the luminescent hour markers, the hour and minute hands, and the practical fold-over clasp that secures the brown alligator strap. The dial has a dark brown to brown gradation from the outside to the inside and a horizontal embossed pattern, both typical hallmarks of the Nautilus. The monocounter at 6 o'clock features two hands of different colors and three concentric scales to indicate elapsed minutes and hours in the stopwatch mode.
The watch incorporates the self-winding CH 28-520 C column-wheel movement with flyback function and date. Consummately crafted in Patek Philippe’s workshops, this manufacture movement premiered in 2006 on the occasion of the Nautilus’ 30-year anniversary. Thanks to the low-friction disk clutch, the graceful chronograph hand can be kept running permanently and thus also serves as a normal seconds hand. The perfectly hand-finished movement with the 21K gold winding rotor is visible through the sapphire-crystal display back. The watch has a screw-down crown and is water-resistant to 120 m.

Ref. 5980/1A: Nautilus chronograph in steel with a steel bracelet and a new dial

The advanced self-winding CH 28-520 C column-wheel chronograph movement beats inside the new Ref. 5980/1A Nautilus chronograph. With its stainless steel case and bracelet, it projects a fresh look and ideally complements the blue-dial Nautilus chronograph released in 2006. The new chronograph is another example of how the personality of a watch can be transformed with a few small but essential modifications. The redesigned dial with the horizontal embossed pattern is gradated from charcoal gray in the center to black at the periphery. At 3 o’clock, it has an aperture date with white numerals on a black background. Distinctive luminescent hour markers and hands in white gold assure easy legibility. With two hands on three concentric scales, the large monocounter at 6 o'clock delivers crisp short-time measurement readings. The new Ref. 5980/1A in stainless steel is water-resistant to 120 m. The beauty of its movement is revealed by a display back with a sapphire-crystal window. The watch is worn on a supple stainless steel bracelet with a fold-over clasp.

For further information, please contact:
Patek Philippe Geneva
International Public Relations Dpt.
P.O. Box 2654
1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
Tel.: +41 22 884 20 20
Fax: +41 22 884 25 47