PP 5550P Advanced Research Perpetual Calendar – some live pictures …

Jun 25, 2013,10:34 AM
 




It was already introduced in 2011 and we have seen it here several times. Our dear Dje wrote an interesting post about it
(April 2011; please use our search function if you are interested in more technical details).

There have been some more posts here and additionally I was reading about the watch in several magazines, press text and so on.

How could it happen that I missed two things – at least?

 

Let´s start from the beginning smile

 

Technical (key) features :






GyromaxSi balance wheel





Pulsomax escapement




Spiromax balance spring


GyromaxSi + Pulsomax + Spiromax=Oscillomax


One of the benefits is a plus of 50% power reserve, compared to a regular cal. 240 Q.





The movement looks like something well-known for PP connoisseurs, except the new “high tech features”.




Anything else?


Well, let´s compare the Ref. 5550 with another perpetual calendar/family member the Ref. 5140.









Once more, anything else to observe?




5550




5140

No, I don´t talk about the “loupe”.


What I totally missed so far is …



… the different shape of the balance cock.





Of course it is just a tiny detail, but we talk about Haute Horlogerie and therefore tiny details make huge differences – quite often. 

Doesn´t it look more vintage and/or sophisticated? An Advanced Research watch with a “vintage style” balance cock.
Nothing was mentioned about in the official press text, but for sure it was part of their requirements specification.
I really like that kind of attention to details, by Patek Philippe.

 

On more comparison – dial side.


5550 vs 5140



5550



5140

Ref. 5550 - the silvered brushed finish of the dial is just beautiful and we have seen it at other Advanced Research
watches before. The gold indexes and hands complement the dial very well. Once more, "vintage" comes to my mind.

In my book I prefer the luminous hands over the Dauphine hands and not only because of readability, at night.













I was aware of the latter details, but I was not aware what would happen when I put it on my wrist.





What do you think, what happened?





Surprise, surprise I fall in love with a perpetual calendar. Me, who just claimed that he is not seriously interested in that complication.





The size was perfect on my wrist and the charm was just soooo addictive. It was almost impossible to take it away from my wrist.





So what I was missing so far is the different shape of the balance cock and the very addictive charm in general.


Never say, never … and never ever judge a watch until you saw it on your wrist smile

 

Oliver



More posts: 5140grand complications

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Super post!

 
 By: Fricks : June 25th, 2013-11:22
Indeed this watch looks so much different in the metal, and also different on the wrist :) Basically, your pics are great, some of the best, but they give just a small idea of how wonderful it looks on wrist

"they give just a small idea of how wonderful it looks on wrist "

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 26th, 2013-23:25
Fricks, I agree 100%. Thanks, for your kind words! Oliver

Thanks. Most interesting post.

 
 By: watch-guy.com : June 25th, 2013-13:39
Ps Next obvious step..... Is it on your wrist permanently? Julian

Julian ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 26th, 2013-23:27
in an almost perfect world ... who knows ... :-) Oliver

Thank you Oliver!

 
 By: bulliondesk : June 25th, 2013-14:09
An absolute stunner! I have really started to appreciate the 5140 along with this piece much more lately. Did you bring it home??

Nice post Oliver and a very timely reminder for you.......

 
 By: Topcat30093 : June 25th, 2013-15:51
Can you see a space in your collection for a Perpetual Calendar? Or have you already placed your order?

"Did you bring it home?"

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 26th, 2013-23:28
No, this was not possible for several reasons :-( Thanks! Oliver

Thanks, Oliver

 
 By: alphabeta81 : June 25th, 2013-17:17
Wonderful post about a truly one on a kind piece. Lovely pictures and attention to detail on your part in this post!

srs144, thanks for your kind reply!

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 26th, 2013-23:29
Oliver

Great shots for a great watch.

 
 By: Grisar : June 25th, 2013-17:31
Especially the first and some last wrist shots were so nicely made. Really an interesting and very elegant watch.

In fact the first and the last ....

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 26th, 2013-23:30
picture are the same :-) Thanks a lot! Oliver

Addictive !

 
 By: dirost : June 25th, 2013-17:35
This word seems to be the right one concerning this 5550. Really gorgeous at your wrist ! Thanks for sharing. Didier.

Thanks, it doesn´t help ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 26th, 2013-23:31
"Really gorgeous at your wrist !" ... to forget it ... for the moment ... Oliver

beautiful inside out

 
 By: emcquillan : June 25th, 2013-21:38
Nice technological enhancements although the finishing appears equivalent to its cousin. The dial is pretty close to perfection. The rail track, propeller hands and coloured dial with contrast all work impeccably. If this was an approachable perpetual cal... 

"The more approachable ..."

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 26th, 2013-23:34
Just so true, unfortunately. Best things in live are rare, aren´t they? Thanks! Oliver

Great report with great pictures!

 
 By: Georg : June 25th, 2013-22:51
Thanks a lot for sharing. It is a pity, that this beauty is not on the market yet (same goes for the 5235 regulator). Best regards Georg

"not on the market yet"

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 26th, 2013-23:37
Georg, what do you mean? I don´t know how many are delivered but there are some with collectors. Thanks! Oliver

Didn't know that...

 
 By: Georg : June 27th, 2013-04:01
When I looked for it on the PP website, I could not find it, so I thought that it is not yet available. A phonecall to my AD is in order, I think Best regards Georg

amazing pictures. thank you for them.

 
 By: abd.dxb : June 28th, 2013-16:34
although i have it since 5 months looking at those pictures make me take the watch out of the safe and wear it before going to bed. love the 5550 its my best patek.

Nice review....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : June 26th, 2013-02:04
I have to say, I like EVERYTHING about this watch. It has everything, in my view. If i was to take another Patek, it would be this one at the top of the list. The dial for me is clinical perfection. The technology adds to the sexiness. I would not call th... 

"I like EVERYTHING about this watch."

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 26th, 2013-23:43
Baron, me too. But still there is some room for improvement or let´s call it an additional feature, the cherry on the cake. What I have in mind is Patek Philippe´s signature engraved and later filled with black enamel, like in the past :-) Thanks! Oliver ... 

vive la difference

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : June 26th, 2013-23:48
The engraving would be something that would be a big negative for me!

"vive la difference" vive la PuristS ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 27th, 2013-03:30
Same attention to details, same amount of passion and no problem with different tastes :-) Cheers, Oliver

reading your post...

 
 By: Fricks : June 27th, 2013-04:01
...my dear Joe, made me realize how hard it is sometimes to choose the right words. Clinical perfection? Reminds me more of the 5170G. The expression lets you think of something cold. This 5550P feels warm in a way, maybe the rose hands and markers, the s... 

Warm?

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : June 27th, 2013-11:05
I will have to see when on the wrist, but to me this is not a cold watch, but a super clinical. Everything in just the right place. I don't mean clinical perfection to sound like a criticism....... i think there is a place for this type of watch for me...... 

yes, i see what you mean...

 
 By: Fricks : June 27th, 2013-14:17
... everything seems to fall in its place perfectly. Btw, there is a pics of the 5550P next to the 5140G that has a strong white dial and the shape of the hands, that gave me that "clinical feel"... Agree with you, its on the top of my wish list too

Yes...

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : June 28th, 2013-00:22
....the issue for me is that this comes close to what I think is a perfect Patek. This watch is the antithesis of the 5070P. The latter is a watch that is genius because of its faults. To my mind, the 5550P is genius because of its lack of faults. The pre... 

I like your thoughts, I like them a lot!

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 28th, 2013-06:37
" This watch is the antithesis of the 5070P. The latter is a watch that is genius because of its faults." Great, you made my day :-) Cheers, Oliver ...  

This is my nightmare watch!

 
 By: dr.kol : June 26th, 2013-15:40
Thank you for a great post! I saw this watch in the spring in the wrist of the CEO of Patek and fell in love. I was given an opportunity to acquire the watch but I had just bought my 5140P just before. I really love my 5140P and I would probably choose it... 

"I really love my 5140P."

 
 By: small-luxury-world : June 26th, 2013-23:45
It is perfect like it is. It makes you smile! Best, Oliver

I can't stop staring!

 
 By: bulliondesk : June 30th, 2013-13:31
Such a beauty!

I just read this and i am awed.

 
 By: akitaishi : September 10th, 2013-10:39
Nice review, Oliver. Great post. I am sure you enjoyed that duration while it was on your wrist. I am intrigued by the technical improvement of the "power reserve". It was mentioned a 50 % improvement. Would you think that it is because of the incomplete ... 

akitaishi, thanks for your kind words ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : September 11th, 2013-01:04
and I am happy that you liked it. Have you seen this one from our dear Dje as well: I guess you will like it. Best, Oliver