Patek Philippe Unveils New Creations at Watches and Wonders
On 30th March 2022, at the highly anticipated Watches and Wonders, held at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, Patek Philippe announced their new watches. Some incredibly impressive complications and dress watches were revealed. Amongst the reveals there is stunning pieces from the Calatrava collection, annual calendar watches, moon phase instruments, pieces from the Twenty-4 collection and a special dark green timepiece from the Grand Complications series.
The Complications Collection
‘A supreme test of ingenuity’. A ‘complication’ in watchmaking is anything a mechanical watch may do beyond time telling and simple date. Patek Philippe upholds a tradition in complications that are useful in everyday situations, such as Annual Calendars, dual time zones and World Time displays. Patek Philippe are unrivalled in their knowledge and practice of this pinnacle of the watchmaker’s art.
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Travel Time Ref. 5326G-001
This new release from Patek Philippe brings two useful complications together for the first time. With its round Calatrava case with unique design and decorative features, an inimitable dial and the new self-winding calibre endowed with eight patents, this timepiece delivers a perfect example of an approach that combines all facts of watch-making artistry with balanced elegance.
Several technical challenges arose when trying to build the connection between the Annual Calendar and the Travel Time function. The issue wasn’t only to accommodate both mechanisms within the same case. Both mechanisms had to interact in such a way that the displayed date corresponded with the local time. In the new calibre 31-260 PS QA LU FUS 24H movement, the Annual Calendar is controlled by the Travel Time function, and it is the local-time hour wheel which drives the calendar.
Patek Philippe created a new white-gold case with a diameter of 41 millimetres to accommodate this mechanical movement with its exclusive functions. The dial is charcoal grey with a fine gradation to the periphery and has a slightly granular structure. The timepiece is offered with two interchangeable strap, one beige calfskin with a nubuck texture which is the original and the other is a black calfskin with embossed textile finish and beige decorative stitching.
The Calatrava Collection
With its pure lines, the Calatrava is recognised as the very essence of the round wristwatch and one of the finest symbols of the Patek Philippe style. Supremely elegant, it charms each new generation of watch enthusiasts with its timeless, understated perfection.
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 5226G
The latest addition to the Calatrava collection, is this new white gold Reference 5226G. It is the perfect illustration of Patek Philippe’s quest for excellence in all fields in the art of watchmaking. Calatrava models have been renowned since 1932 for their round case. Patek Philippe revisited this by adorning the flanks with a Clous de Paris hobnail pattern, typical of the manufacture. In order to enable this motif to continue around the entire case, the designers have devised a distinctive case construction in which the lugs are an integral part of the case back.
This new model is driven by a self-winding Calibre 26-330 S C, powering the hours, minutes, seconds, aperture-type date and stop-seconds mechanism. The timepiece is teamed with two interchangeable straps: one in beige calfskin with a nubuck finish and the other in a black calfskin with an embossed fabric motif and beige stitching.
The Grand Complications Collection
‘A lifetime of artistry and skill’. Complicated watchmaking is a supreme test of the designer’s expertise and watchmakers’ skill. In each watch, many lifetimes of skill and artistry are captured to produce an item of timeless worth.
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 5270P-014
Originally launched in 2011, Reference 5270 is heir to several generations of Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronographs. This manufacture recreates this timepiece in a model featuring the original iconic style. Platinum is the most precious metal of all and is also the hardest to work with. It was crafted to create the case which magnifies the timeless design with its concave bezel, two-tier lugs and its correction push-pieces that are satin-brushed on the flanks and polished on the top.
The perpetual calendar displays are beautifully arranged, with a moon phase at 6 o’clock and the date indicated by a hand, as well as a twin day/month aperture at 12 o’clock. These are complimented by two round apertures for the day/night function and leap-year cycle. Calibre CH 29-535 PS Q is renowned for its traditional architecture, combined with its exceptionally thin calendar mechanism and its six patented innovations relating to the chronograph.
The Twenty~4 Collection
The Twenty~4 Collection was created in 1999, dedicated to the young, active and modern woman. The collection radiates timeless feminine elegance. Offered in diamond-set rose gold or stainless steel, the timepieces are the perfect complement to fashionable business or casual wear and the most elegant dress watch.
Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Ref. 4910/1200A
Originally launched in 1999, the Twenty~4 is the first exclusive feminine collection from Patek Philippe. Designed to be a companion for the life of modern, active women, it is wearable at any time of the day and night. The refined and contemporary new olive-green dial strikes an excellent contrast with the 12 and 6 o’clock numerals, the applied trapeze-shaped hour and markers and the rounded baton-style hands. The original shape of the Art Deco inspired two-tier case is accentuated by a row of 18 diamonds set on either side of the dial.
