It was a grand affair for Swiss luxury watchmaker Patek Philippe as it introduced six limited edition watches in conjunction with its Watch Art Grand Exhibition held in Marina Bay Sands Singapore, which runs from 28 September to 13 October.
The six extraordinary new timepieces were created especially for the exhibition, each impressively documenting the manufacture’s know-how and experience. But enough talk, let’s take a closer look at each of these new innovative watches in greater detail.
One common feature across all these timepieces is the inclusion of a sapphire-crystal case back is engraved with the inscription “PATEK PHILIPPE SINGAPORE 2019†to mark the occasion.
Ref. 5303R-010 Minute Repeater Tourbillon Singapore 2019 Special Edition
Made especially for enthusiasts of striking timepieces, this new grand complication stands out with its open, dial-less architecture that exposes the minute repeater. The incredible detail that goes into the watch can be seen as one is able to see the individual action of the hammers and gongs even while the watch is worn on the wrist.
Satisfying the desire for transparency, reflected in the tourbillon and also on the underside of the watch’s cage can be admired through a plate aperture at 6 o’clock. It serves as a perfect composition with steel components that set themselves apart from the 5N rose gilt plate.
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Inside the rose-gold case is a manually wound calibre R TO 27 PS and is subtly reworked with the skeletonisation of individual components to enhance their beauty.
Paying tribute to Singapore, the hour circle is a red-lacquered sapphire-crystal ring decorated with white stars that recall the flag of the Asian city-state. The view of the movement from the case backside is framed by a skeletonized pattern in 18K white gold that echoes the style of the case intarsias.
The shiny black alligator leather strap features red decorative stitching colour-coordinated with the hour circle.
Ref. 5531R-010 World Time Minute Repeater Singapore 2019 Special Edition
The special edition of the Ref. 5531 Grand Complication is limited to just five pieces and feature a cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of Singapore. It pays tribute to the craftsmanship carefully preserved by the manufacturer. Also, the name of the city-state replaces Beijing on the city disk.
An elegant rose-gold case features generously pierced lugs; the repeater slide and the caseband are manually guilloched with the manufacture’s iconic hobnail pattern.
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Unlike other watches that systematically strike home time, the Ref. 5531 always sounds the current local time in the city at the 12 o’clock position as displayed by the two hands from the centre.
Beating at the centre of the Ref. 5531 is Patek Philippe’s in-house developed caliber R 27 HU with 462 parts and totally new design features. The self-winding mechanism is powered by a minirotor in 22K gold recessed in the movement, so despite its complexity, the watch has a remarkably slender silhouette.
Other subtle distinguishing features on the watch include a 24-hour disk has two colors as well as sun and moon symbols to distinguish day and night.
Ref. 5930G-011 World Time Chronograph Singapore 2019 Special Edition
The Ref. 5930G-011 is a reinterpretation of a 2016 timepiece. Now available in white-gold, limited to 300 pieces, it sports a black and red colour that symbolises vitality, success and good fortune in Southeast Asia.
Inside you will find a calibre CH 28-520 HU movement that combines very rare complications that rank among Patek Philippe’s specialties: a self-winding flyback chronograph and a World Time mechanism that shows all 24 time zones of our planet at a single glance.
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As is the tradition in Patek Philippe World Time watches, there is red dial centre with a black gradation towards the periphery setting the stage for the hand-guilloched motif. This is contrasted by the red decorative stitching on the matt black alligator strap.
One final detail. If you look carefully at the time-zone city ring, you will find the name Singapore present as a homage to the city-state.
Ref. 5167A-012 Aquanaut Singapore 2019 Special Edition
The colour red symbolises good fortune, so it is fitting that the Ref. 5167A-012 adopts a fiery red composite material strap. Limited to 500 pieces, this 500-piece limited edition Aquanaut is a dynamic interpretation of a modern, sporty and uncluttered design.
The recognisable octagonal bezel with slightly rounded corners features a vertical satin finish while its beveled flanks are polished.
On the dial, legibility is optimised with red seconds hand and minute markers contrasting over the black inky dial. Meanwhile, a self-winding caliber 324 S C is visible through a sapphire-crystal case back. It is also worth noting that the Aquanaut is water-resistant to 120 meters.
Ref. 5067A-027 Aquanaut Luce Singapore 2019 Special Edition
Carrying a sporty though surprisingly youthful and modern design, the ladies’ Aquanaut Luce sits pretty in stainless steel. This 300-watch version comes with a raspberry-red dial and strap to match.
Much like the Ref. 5167A-012, its contours are shaped by its rounded octagonal bezel though it uniquely shines bring with a string of 46 diamonds.
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You need not worry about legibility as the luminous hands and large applied Arabic numerals in white gold stand out.
Perfect for the active individual, the composite material strap is waterproof, water-resistant and UV-resistant.
HyperFocal: 0
Ref. 7234A-001 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Singapore 2019 Special Edition
Last but not least, Patek Philippe introduced this exclusive version of the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time. Featuring a medium-format steel case with a 37.5mm diameter, this timepiece attracts attention effortlessly thanks to a blue-grey hue that symbolises the Southeast Asian sea views.
This 400-watch edition is also embossed with a blue calfskin strap, a first in the Patek Philippe collection. Made in the style of classic aviators, the dial is characterised by its excellent legibility.
Inside, a self-winding calibre 324 S C FUS movement powers the watch. For the world traveller, it has a conveniently settable indication of a second-time zone and date display that is synchronised with the respective local time.
In addition, a patented safety interlock system protects the time-zone pushers against unintentional actuation.
