Patek Philippe

Mark in Paris
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10th Anniversary: First Patek Philippe Advanced Research watch - The 5250

Hello Gentlemen,

This is a 10Th anniversary review of the 5250P Advanced Research Patek Philippe.

In early 2000, Patek Philippe decided to create a new innovation department which would aim at preparing the future in developing new technologies and working on new materials. It was called the Advanced Research program.

Some of the main problems watchmakers are facing since the beginning of the traditional Swiss lever escapement we've been knowing for centuries are related to lubrication, wear and temperature compensation issues.

In the end of the 19th century, the "Invar" alloy was created and allowed to obtain a material indistinctly influenced by temperature fluctuations.

Today, the Silinvar® material which could help containing all the issues mentioned above is in fact a kind of oxidized Silica developed by the CSEM (Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique) in Neuchatel, upon the impulse of a joint group composed of Patek Philippe, Rolex and the Swatch Group.

From that point, the Patek Philippe's Advanced Research department elaborated in 2005 the first visible patented element of the Advanced Research program, the Silinvar® escape wheel, which was integrated in the first Advanced Research watch, the 5250 in white gold (39mm, based on a 5146).

The watch has a little sportier touch, as do all the Advanced Research watches by the way: darkened numerals and markers with the vertically brushed metalic dial:

More precisely, it was housed into the 315 S IRM QA LU SI® caliber, which means it was an Annual Calendar with a Central second hand, a Power Reserve Indicator and a Moonphase disk.

This watch was produced in 100 pieces and held the first escape wheel created in Silinvar®.

Here is the back side of the 5250 with its specific loup added to the sapphire caseback:

It was hence the beginning of a courageous program showing that Patek Philippe, beside its wide historical legacy, is also looking toward the future, doesn't want to stand still and considers we should not ignore progress and possibilities provided by the 21st century.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the 5250G and I think it is a kind of landmark for the brand which deserves to be celebrated and which is the beginning of much more to come in that field.

As it is a rare bird, it is difficult to find live pictures but our friend SuitbertW shared the arrival of this watch at the time so I thought I could share them here.

Happy 10 years birthday!

Cheers, Mark

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