Patek Philippe

Mark in Paris
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Patek Philippe “Advanced Research” program - Sum up and 10 year review

Following the thread I posted regarding the 10 years of the first Advanced Research related watch, the 5250P (patek.watchprosite.com) I thought I could sum-up the overall chronology of these very special watches.

The principle is that for each new Silinvar® part developed (Silicon-based material), a new Patek Advanced Research timepiece is released, housing the new part and all the ones previously unveiled (in different calibers to keep it simple...).

As you know, the main advantages of Silicon-based material are the lightness, the fact they are less subject to wear, there is no need of lubrication, they are amagnetic and they are not influenced by normal temperature variations.

The problem with elements made from Silicon only is that they may brake more easily than steel for instance. Furthermore, as we can't correct their physical state after they are made (can't be folded up), the difficult task for the research teams is to find clever ways (coatings, alloys, industrial crafting techniques) to balance these side effects.

First step: 2005

They started with the escape wheel in the Patek 5250's 315 caliber (100 pieces).

Advantages:

- No lubrication

- Less wear (maybe more yet on the anchor's side...)

- Lighter (less inertia=less impact on accuracy because of shocks, less energy needed)

Second step: 2006

They added to the previous escape wheel the Spiromax which is the flat hairspring element of the program, in the Patek 5350's 324 caliber (300 pieces).

Advantages:

- Better isochronism

- Amagnetic

- Temperature compensated

- Lighter=less damage issues

The technique used for crafting these hairsprings makes them all the same, needing no individual setting and adjustment. In the other hand it needs very high graded industrial techniques to get them perfect without needing any correction.

Third step: 2008

Finally, two years after the previous elements, three parts added together:

To the two previous elements, the searching team added the anchor hence giving birth to the Pulsomax (name of the 3 parts all together), housed into the Patek 5450R's 324 caliber (300 pieces).

The beautiful 5450P which served to house the new movement:

It was also included in the Grand Complication 5208. The innovation is not only used in experimental watches but was also first added in this very complicated timepiece:

And later on to the 5235 too (thanks Julian for the reminder):

Final step (to date): 2011

And finally, the high-tech balance wheel:

To the Pulsomax launched in 2008, Patek has implemented the forth part, the balance wheel, to give birth to the Oscillomax display. It was integrated in the Patek 5550P's 240 caliber (300 pieces).

The goal of the new balance wheel is to keep the element as light as possible where not needed (in the center), in order to be less influenced by external movements like shocks, together with keeping a heavier external charge (by the mean of a gold alloy incorporation) to maintain regularity.

The caliber's construction allows to have a quite mesmerizing view on the new escapement feature:

The result in accuracy is significant when combining the four elements (more about this matter in Dje's post linked at the end of this post).

And as CH9698 underlined lately the three first watches were Annual Calendars as the last 5550P was a Perpetual Calendar.

You'll find here a very interesting post that Dje wrote in 2011 when the last version was unveiled, the 5550P: patek.watchprosite.com 

And the final result:

I think we don't underline enough the investment and experience needed to come to that end with a usable product, hence something a brand can sell without being afraid it could break after several months. Finding the way to do is something, finding a way to make it reliable is yet another.

We don't often see those important pieces so if you have pictures to share, please go ahead

Cheers, Mark

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