Baselworld Highlights from Patek Philippe
As the watch industry’s most anticipated and celebrated event, Baselworld is an opportunity for Patek Philippe to share their future vision and capture the attention of the watch world with their new releases, and Baselworld 2019 was no different. We saw a wide variety of new introductions; some were very complicated, others more simple, but we also saw a number of exciting innovations from the fabled independent manufacturer. Thierry Stern, Patek Philippe’s president, believes that it is important to come to Baselworld with one or two horological innovations. They certainly delivered this year with two brand new complications utilizing new movements. One thing is for sure, debuts like these do not happen every year.
Ref. 5212A Calatrava Weekly Calendar
The star of the show was the Ref. 5212A Calatrava Weekly Calendar, showcasing a new self-winding caliber and a completely new complication for calendar watches—the weekly calendar. In addition to the day of the week and the date, the weekly calendar mechanism also displays the current week number. The new Ref. 5212A expresses its uniqueness via a silvery opaline dial with its unusual layout featuring five hands extending from the center of the dial. Beyond its sheer functionality and charm, what’s more impressive is how legible the watch remains even with so much information on the dial. The typography is based on the handwriting of one of the Patek Philippe’s designers, which make the letters and numbers absolutely unique while adding a poetic and personal touch.
Ref. 5520P Alarm Travel Time
The second major innovation released this year was a new grand complication combining Patek’s exclusive Travel Time system with a 24-hour alarm. For the Ref. 5520P Alarm Travel Time, Patek Philippe chose an alarm concept that features a classic gong with acoustics much like the tone sequences of a minute repeater. Rather than being attached to the movement, the gong is directly attached to the case to ensure maximum sound quality. When the alarm is triggered, a hammer strikes a gong that circles the movement to create about 90 strikes in total. To achieve this new striking grand complication, Patek Philippe developed an entirely new integrated automatic movement for which they hold four patents.
Ref. 5078G Minute Repeater
After retiring the Ref. 5078R, Patek Philippe released a new variation of the self-winding minute repeater in white gold with an updated aesthetic. Paying homage to the grand tradition of rare handcrafts, the Ref. 5078G features a black enameled dial with a unique design motif enhanced by the subtle contrast between polished and matte finishes. The watch remains a beautifully crafted timepiece with the repeater trigger seamlessly blending into the shape of the case. Inside the 38mm white gold case is an exemplary example of Patek’s watchmaking prowess. Featuring the Caliber R 27 PS, this masterpiece of beauty strikes the hours, quarters and minutes on demand with the legendary acoustics of a Patek Philippe minute repeater.
Ref. 4899/901G Calatrava
Exuding an ultra-feminine allure, the Calatrava Ref. 4899/901 showcases a palette of blue tones highlighted by a delicate array of precious gemstones. Adorned with 348 diamonds and 354 blue sapphires, this graceful timepiece transcends superior craftsmanship to attain the level of high art. The softly rounded contours of the 38.8mm white gold case are set with staggered rows of diamonds interspersed with blue sapphires in varying intensities of color. On the lower part of the dial, diamonds mix with blue sapphires in a snow setting, while the upper dial features a hand-engraved mother-of-pearl feather motif with delicate blue tints.
Ref. 4978/400G Diamond Ribbon Joaillerie
The Patek Philippe Diamond Ribbon is now available in a new white gold design with a slightly larger diameter, increased from 33.3mm to 36.5mm. As a result, the distinctive diamond embellishments orbiting the white gold case and the spiraling circles of graduated diamonds adorning the dial make an even greater impression. Demonstrating Patek Philippe’s excellence in the delicate art of gem-setting, this feminine timepiece is adorned with 770 hand-set diamonds that total over 4.4 carats. Beneath its luminescent exterior is an ultra-thin Patek Philippe Caliber 240 automatic movement, enabling the watch to maintain its slim and elegant profile.
Ladies Nautilus Collection (Ref. 7118)
After discontinuing the Ref. 7018 recently, Patek Philippe has reinterpreted the sporty-chic style of its Ladies Automatic Nautilus collection for 2019 with the introduction of five new models. At 35.2mm, the new Ladies Automatic Nautilus models assert their presence on the wrist with a slightly enlarged case diameter. The classic Nautilus bracelet is now endowed with a new fold-over clasp with an integrated adjustment system that offers 2-4mm of extra length for increased comfort. Similar to previous Ladies Automatic Nautilus watches, these new versions are powered by Patek Philippe’s Caliber 324 S C automatic movement.
The Ref. 7118/1R in rose gold showcases a plain gold bezel and is available in two luxurious dial colors: silvery opaline and golden opaline.
The Ref. 7118/1200A in steel is highlighted by a diamond-set bezel embellished with 56 diamonds and introduces three distinct dial options: blue opaline, silvery opaline or gray opaline.
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