SuitbertW
2411
*Basel 2007* New Ref. 5971
New Ref. 5971
Press release
Grand Complications
Patek Philippe, Geneva
April 2007
Classic column-wheel chronograph with perpetual calendar, accented by the eternal fire
of diamonds
Modern, self-confident women are expressing an ever greater interest in complicated
mechanical watches while men are discovering the allure of precious stones in
combination with the marvels of micromechanical engineering. Patek Philippe has
created a classic column-wheel chronograph in a particularly valuable version with a
heavy platinum case featuring bezels, dials and buckles set with baguette diamonds.
Haute joaillerie meets.....
The case of the new Ref. 5971 is a masterpiece in itself and a showcase of the jeweler’s art.
Crafted completely from 950 platinum, it challenges casemakers considerably more than a gold
or steel counterpart. In keeping with its cool hue, platinum is not easy to work: it resists
punching, milling, drilling and polishing. It takes twice as long to machine and punishes tools
much more than gold. The reward is a case of impressive weight and inimitable color. The Ref.
5971 is endowed not only with a small diamond between the lugs at 6 o’clock (like all current
Patek Philippe models with platinum cases); it also has a broadened bezel studded with 36
baguette diamonds totaling approximately four carats, each flawless rare white Top Wesselton.
The diamonds are perfectly set by the manufacture’s in-house jewelers, who rank among the
most respected experts of their craft.
.....haute horlogerie
The heart that beats inside the Ref. 5971 is a gem in its own right. It is the mechanical caliber
CH 27-70 Q movement, agreed by most connoisseurs to be the most beautiful classic columnwheel
chronograph mechanism in existence. The ébauche is manufactured by Nouvelle
Lémania exclusively for Patek Philippe, further refined at the Geneva workshops, and vested
with a perpetual calendar that automatically takes into account the different number of days in
each month, including leap years. The movement has a Gyromax balance, and the column
wheel features a polished cap. The edges of the steel parts are carefully chamfered and
burnished and the leaves of the pinions individually polished to reduce friction in the wheel train.
The result is a movement that fascinates the observer with its peerless aesthetics and perfect
finish as well as the fascinating contrasts of mirrored bevels, frosted surfaces, artistic
decorations, and the mesmerizing interplay of 353 individual parts. It ticks at a rate of 18,000
semi-oscillations per hour (2.5 Hz) and with the chronograph function is capable of measuring
times with an accuracy of one-fifth of a second. The watch comes with two case backs: a solidplatinum
back and a sapphire-crystal back.
Spectrum of time
The black dial shows a broad spectrum of time indications. The hours and minutes are
indicated with two white-gold leaf-shaped hands and the chronograph seconds with a slender
center sweep hand. The date and month of the perpetual calendar appear in two small
apertures at 12 o’clock. Subsidiary dials are provided for the running seconds and the 24-hour
indicator at 9 o’clock, for the chronograph’s 30-minute counter and the leap-year display at 3
o’clock, and the analog date and the moon phase at 6 o’clock. The organized layout of the dial
makes this differentiated information legible at a glance. Like the case, the dial is also accented
with diamonds: a baguette diamond is set prominently at 12 o’clock, the keystone of a wreath of
six round hour-marker diamonds in white-gold chatons.
This outstanding timepiece is worn on a shiny black alligator strap. Its platinum prong buckle is
set with six baguette diamonds totaling about 0.3 carats.
The new Ref. 5971 chronograph with perpetual calendar is Patek Philippe’s only haute joaillerie
watch in the Grand Complications category. It replaces the Ref. 5071 (column-wheel
chronograph with 30-minute counter and seconds subdial).
Greetings from Basel
Suitbert
