Baselworld 2011: Patek Philippe 5208 triple complication with minute repeater monopusher chronograph and instantaneous perpetual calendar.

Mar 27, 2011,12:20 PM
 

Obviously many here and myself first may wonder if we will ever see this watch out of the Patek Philippe window at Baselworld or the Geneva boutique. Those who may not wonder such question may answer "why bother?". I've read your many answers complaining in some way about so many "Grande complication" watches in this year's novelties from Patek Philippe. Well if that's really that much a problem for you you can have a look there:  patek.watchprosite.com

 

I think, or guess, that the truth may be that the market for such complicated watches from Patek Philippe is essential for them. I too think that you first among others ask always more from Patek Philippe. I finally know that Patek Philippe's prestige is due to the historical general high level of quality of its products, but also and maybe even more to the fascination exercised by its permanent prowess on the complicated watch market.

 

Three year ago the 5207 was revealed at Baselworld. patek.watchprosite.com

 

This extraordinary instantaneous perpetual calendar based on the toubillon minute repeater calibre from Patek Philippe was the nest for a new improvement of the breed. This improvement is renewed with the new Patek Philippe 5208.

 

The new watch uses the automatic winding minute repeater base calibre R 27 PS of the 5078, turning it into a R CH 27 PS QI, for "Repetition chronographe 27 mm petite seconde quantieme instantane" so if you need a translation, an automatic winding minute repeater with (monopusher) chronograph and instantaneous perpetual calendar with moon phases.

 



 

So if you except the unique piece reference 3615 made between 1982 and 1986, the new 5208 is the first wristwatch from Patek Philippe mixing a chronograph and a minute repeater. That it adds an instantaneous perpetual calendar emphasizes its exceptional complexity. The automatic winding is a proof in some way of the usability wished by Patek Philippe.

 



 

Beyond what is apparent on its face, the Patek Philippe 5208 adds

a high tech feature. It is the first Grande Complication that integrates silicon-derived Silinvar® components: the revolutionary Pulsomax® escapement and the Spiromax® balance spring. These two features were incorporated in the Patek Philippe Advanced Research reference 5450 three years ago. You will be able to find all original information about these on my subject about the 5450:  patek.watchprosite.com

 

The apparition of the Spiromax and Pulsomax advances in a higher end piece (the 5208 is the #2 now in the order of most complicated wrist watches by Patek Philippe, after the Sky Moon Tourbillon) is the first implementation in the general catalog of the brand (although the 5208 will be limited in numbers by its complexity and sold exclusively by the Geneva boutique for the time being). We can imagine that it is only the beginning of a slow spreading to the whole range.

 



 

If the watch is extremely complicated and high tech, it is surprisingly simple in its dial organization and consequently seems easily readable, whatever information you're looking for (and if you can't read it you can still make it ring). The calendar is nearly on line at the top. The time is easily readable on the vertical axis. The chronograph indications are on a horizontal line at the middle. The moon phase is nearly alone at the bottom if someone really wants to read it.

 

It is also simply usable: only one pusher for the chronograph (start, stop reset), one slider for the repeater!

 



 

The implementation of the chronograph parts has been done between the base plate and the calendar plate (that is right below the dial). This was necessary as the repeating mechanism couldn't be moved and needed all the room on the back side. That has two consequences.

 First you won't see the chronograph mechanism from the back.

Then it has necessitated to have an indirect indication of the time as the base plate and the dial were separated by the chronograph mechanism and the cannon pinion couldn't go through the chronograph wheel. So the energy of the cannon pinion is transferred laterally to pass through the chronograph mechanism and be sent back to the middle of the watch dial to drive the minute and hour hands and the instantaneous perpetual calendar indications. Only the seconds hand at six is powered directly!

 

The perpetual calendar plate is directly inspired from the 5207 plate but has been adapted to accommodate the presence of the chronograph mechanism below. The complication of the instantaneous indication relies in the necessity to have all indications move at the same time of course, and as they need more energy than hands, to have them move perfectly, without any incomplete or excessive move.  Again such constraints were analyzed there: patek.watchprosite.com

 



 

The chronograph mechanism is quite modern too as it uses for powering the minute and hours counters the friction drives of the Patek Philippe proprietary calibre CHR 27-525 PS of the ultra thin split seconds 5959 (and now also 5950 and 5951). It also uses the toothing profiles of the chronograph wheels of the same calibre, to reduce wear and increase power transmission efficiency.

 

Furthermore it also uses the patented self setting hammers and brake levers of the other proprietary chronograph calibre CH 29-535 PS of the 5170 and now 5270. This calibre was extensively explained there: patek.watchprosite.com

 



 

As already said the chronograph is of the monopusher style. There's only one pusher that always repeat the same cycle: start/stop/reset.

 

The seconds are read on the central hand, the 60 minutes at 3H30 and the 12 hours at 8H30. You will notice that the leap year indicator and the night and day indicator are discreetly sunk into the chronograph counters.

 



 

Another aspect that you may easily miss is the case construction. Please look at the picture above and you will notice a three parts construction: back, middle and bezel. But these three parts are clenched between and screwed to two clamps. These two clamps are also the pierced lugs. That gives a very appealing construction as you can also see below.

 



 

The 701 parts fit in a 44mm platinum case (thickness 15,70mm). You will find the full technical data below.

 



 

Are you ready to measure the time it takes to your minute repeater to ring the time ?

 

Dje

 

Technical data Grand Complication Ref. 5208 in platinum

Minute repeater, monopusher chronograph, instantaneous perpetual calendar with aperture displays, and moon phases

Movement Caliber R CH 27 PS QI

Self-winding mechanical movement, minute repeater and subsidiary seconds. Monopusher chronograph with column wheel, chronograph hand, 60-minute and 12-hour counters. Instantaneous perpetual calendar. Day, date, month, and leap-year cycle in apertures, day/night indicator, moon phases. Overall diameter: 32 mm (repeater and chronograph 28 mm; instantaneous perpetual calendar 32 mm) Height: 10.35 mm

Number of parts: 701 Basic movement with minute repeater: 331 Chronograph mechanism: 160 Instantaneous perpetual calendar: 210 Number of jewels: 58

Power reserve: Max. 48 hours

Balance: Gyromax® Semi-oscillations per hour: 21,600 (3 Hz) Balance spring: Spiromax® Escapement: Pulsomax® (lever and escape wheel in Silinvar®) Balance spring stud: Adjustable

Functions: Two-position crown at 3 o'clock – Pulled out: To set the time – Pushed in: To wind the watch

Pusher: Three-phase chronograph monopusher at 2 o'clock: Start, stop, reset

Hallmark: Patek Philippe Seal

Displays: Hours and minutes from the center Sweep chronograph hand Subdials at: – 60-minute counter between 3 and 4 o'clock – 12-hour counter between 8 and 9 o'clock – Subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock

Apertures: Day between 10 and 11 o'clock in a polished white-gold frame Date at 12 o'clock in a polished white-gold frame Month between 1 and 2 o'clock in a polished white-gold frame Moon phase at 6 o'clock Day/night indication between 7 and 8 o'clock Leap year cycle between 4 and 5 o'clock

Corrector push pieces: – Day corrector between 11 and 12 o'clock – Month corrector between 12 and 1 o'clock – Moon-phase corrector between 5 and 6 o'clock – Date corrector between 6 and 7 o'clock

Delivered with correction stylus in ebony and 18K white gold

Slide Minute repeater with strike on low-pitched gong for hours, high/low for quarter-hours, and high for minutes.

Features Case: 950 platinum with pieced lugs, platinum back, and interchangeable display back with sapphire-crystal window. Diamond of approx. 0.02 ct. between the lugs at 6 o'clock

Dimensions: Diameter 44 mm Height: 15.70 mm Width between lugs: 22 mm

Slide: In 950 platinum on the left side of the case to activate the minute repeater Dial: 18K gold, sunburst charcoal 11 applied "obus" hour markers in 18K white gold

Dauphine hands in 18K white gold for hours and minutes Baton-style counterbalanced chronograph hands, 18K white gold, white lacquered Baton-style hands for subsidiary seconds as well as 12-hour and 60-minute counters, 18K white gold, white lacquered Railway track scale on dial periphery 18K white-gold frame for date aperture, hammered and diamondpolished 18K white-gold frames for day and month apertures, hammered and polished

Strap: Alligator leather with square scales, hand-stitched, shiny chocolate brown, platinum fold-over clasp

 

 

 

This message has been edited by Dje on 2011-03-27 12:29:18 This message has been edited by Dje on 2011-03-27 21:39:18


More posts: 3615507851705207520852705450595059515959Calibrescomplicationsgrand complicationsMonopusher Chronograph

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....

 
 By: Maher : March 27th, 2011-14:12
Just stunning !!! I have no words Great pictures !!! Regards

I love a lot this blend of tradition and modernity.

 
 By: amanico : March 27th, 2011-14:22
Awesome dial, great to have a monopusher, and I appreciate these " empty " lugs which give a lot of modernity to this watch. Aren't the unreasonable dreams the nicer? Best, and thanks for this great post. Nicolas.

My pleasure Nicolas.

 
 By: Dje : March 27th, 2011-21:25
Hi, In fact I hope to see it someday, even if 44mm is not very much Patek Philippe for me, so far. Cheers Dje

I had great pleasure in reading this!

 
 By: Mark in Paris : March 27th, 2011-14:59
Thank you, and I guess this is not far to be ma favorite Patek (with the 5074 & 5004), I especially like the date position. I have maybe a little doubt about the upside down moonphase. This message has been edited by Borale on 2011-03-27 15:00:24

You're welcome

 
 By: Dje : March 27th, 2011-21:27
Hi, The 5074 is a favourite of mine. I've just always feared it to be slightly large. But compared to this 5208 the 5074 is a small watch, so perfect. The 5004 was a dreampiece, but on a daily basis a 5970 or 5070, or even a 3970 would be enough for me. I... 

Technically great but...

 
 By: pv45 : March 27th, 2011-15:07
There is no doubt that this grand complication is an amazing technical feat and from what I've read on another site the watchmakers have been quoted as saying they even had room to fit a tourbillion if they so wished. Wow. I also agree that Patek should b... 

Putting a tourbillon would have been....

 
 By: Dje : March 27th, 2011-21:32
Hi, Putting a tourbillon would have been quite easy as they just needed to take the 3939/5339 base instead of the 5078 base. But that would have meant to add an extra 1.53mm to the thickness and as you pointed out the size of the case is already significa... 

movement

 
 By: roberto : March 27th, 2011-17:43
thanks very much for this post. does the 5208P movement have the micro rotor of the 5078/5074 or a full size rotor please?

Yes

 
 By: Dje : March 27th, 2011-21:32
Hi, It uses the 5078 calibre so it has the same micro-rotor. Cheers Dje

Too bad no image of the movement

 
 By: marcelphilippe : March 28th, 2011-17:01

Here

 
 By: Dje : March 29th, 2011-07:30
Hi, Here is the view of the same calibre on the back of another watch. Cheers Dje...  

A true grand complication...

 
 By: patrick_y : March 27th, 2011-22:35
The term "grand complication" is used very loosely these days. Today, Patek Philippe uses it to describe just about any of their watches that are special, assembled twice, and assembled by one individual. Anything as complex or more complex than a perpetu... 

Thank you for your report............

 
 By: Topcat30093 : March 28th, 2011-01:40
This is the one that I have been waiting to read. I hope that soon we shall see some photos of the watch. Is this the largest diameter watch that Patek have made, excluding the 5002? And would this also be their first 12 hour chronograph? The piece is tru... 

That is achingly beautiful...

 
 By: Tony-GB : March 28th, 2011-07:17
...shouldn't be saying that about a watch. Should be saying it about a beautiful woman... But that is stunning. Breathtaking. Detail like the lugs are incredible. Thanks for sharing.

Pleasure! nt

 
 By: Dje : March 28th, 2011-11:39
nt

You're welcome, and for your questions...

 
 By: Dje : March 28th, 2011-11:39
Well, Is this the largest diameter watch that Patek have made, excluding the 5002? I don't think so.The pilot watch from 1936 may be larger! And would this also be their first 12 hour chronograph? The 5960 has a 12 hours counter. Cheers Dje

So do I! nt

 
 By: Dje : March 28th, 2011-09:20
nt

Speechless

 
 By: santandk : March 28th, 2011-02:05
Such a beautiful watch, I might need to sell my kidney, house and wife for it! I wonder why they put 0.02ct diamond between the lugs at 6 o'clock? Thank you for the post, I'll dream about it tonight.

Best watch by far at Basel 2011......

 
 By: kamal : March 28th, 2011-02:54
Best watch by far at Basel 2011......Now where is that order form? Best, K

is this PP's Veyron?

 
 By: constantine : March 28th, 2011-05:19
the 5208 looks like a techonological as well as a design challenge but i am questioning its financial sense for a smallish privately held company. for example, the veyron apparently costs circa €5mm per car to produce and it's sold at circa 25% of that. T... 

No, definitely not!

 
 By: Dje : March 28th, 2011-09:24
Hi, Patek Philippe will not loose a penny on this watch! The base is well know, the Advanced Research part was already tested in the last three years or more, the perpetual calendar is an evolution of the 5207, the chronograph is new but uses former Pp ad... 

Your slightly snobbish remarks are really comparing apples with oranges...

 
 By: patrick_y : March 28th, 2011-10:02
Frankly, I don't see what justifies the comparison between this watch and the Veyron. And while I have never served as CFO of watch manufacturer, I don't see why one would assume that the Patek Philippe 5208 is a watch that Patek Philippe is selling at le... 

apples and oranges....

 
 By: constantine : March 29th, 2011-04:42
you're right that i am comparing apples and oranges when i state that the 5208 may be PP's Veyron. however, i stand by my comment re: the vanity of the nouveau (super) rich. having been many times to the wempe and pp boutique here in london and observed c... 

Stunning reference by PP...

 
 By: ocwatching : March 28th, 2011-11:59
wow..love to see more movement shots and maybe a video...

Video (of sorts)

 
 By: Tony-GB : March 29th, 2011-05:14
Mods: Hope this link is okay. If not, my apologies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0pXvzF592w Tony

I find it garish. [nt]

 
 By: =RWK= : March 28th, 2011-18:52
No message body

Very impressive

 
 By: Davo : March 30th, 2011-17:32
Looking forward to seeing this one in the metal soon.

re:5208

 
 By: rb8888888 : March 31st, 2011-20:08
My good friend went to Basel and said that this watch was really impressive. He is an AD but he is realistic is his assessments with me. I buy what I like not what will be a good investment. That being said, this is a very expensive watch, period. I think... 

OMG !x3

 
 By: martinus : April 6th, 2011-04:25
OMG superb creation for patek the most beautiful watch from pp ive everseen!! OMG superb complication ,innovation and creation from pp ever produced!! OMG perhaps ive to sell my house and car to get this watch!!

A marvel, a remarkable marvel.

 
 By: VMM : January 16th, 2012-09:03
Would have loved to see it with a co-axial crown, so no pusher at 2. The moonphase indicator look a bit too Lange, to me. LOVE it. Thanks. Vte

even if you have the money

 
 By: watch-er : January 16th, 2012-10:42
this watch will be almost impossible to get. This, to me is a shame but I understand they can only produce very small numbers. Just do not put it in the catalog as its not generally available.