Many innovations presented by Patek Philippe at Replica Watches and Wonders, and the latest is probably the most astonishing: the brand’s first chronograph capable of measuring a tenth of a second. It is not an absolute novelty in watchmaking, but it is the masterful interpretation offered by the manufacture, which takes care of the details of its creations by constantly investing in new patents that raise the standards of fine watchmaking. Added to this and other innovations are many range extensions on consolidated models.
Patek Monopusher Chronograph 1/10 Second Ref. 5470P-001
Patek Philippe waited until the first day after the closing of the fair to unveil its new proposal in the chronograph segment, in which it is highly specialized, and rightly the most relevant from a technical point of view. The Patek 1/10 second Monopusher Chronograph Ref. 5470P-001 is the main product innovation together with the Travel Time and proves how tireless the Research and Development division is in continuously proposing technical innovations (and patents).
The Patek Philippe Monopusher Chronograph 1/10 of a second Ref. 5470P-001 is the first Patek chronograph to measure a tenth of a second, according to an execution that involves the coexistence of two independent chronograph movements, whose measurement scales are concentric and both arranged on the dial, for immediate reading.
The development of such a watch evidently requires the creation of a movement whose regulating organ oscillates at 5 Hz, i.e. 36,000 vibrations per hour. Only with this architecture is it possible to switch from the 1/8 of a second measurement typical of traditional 4Hz chronographs to that of 1/10 of a second. The design of the 5Hz chronograph and 1/10 reading is nothing new in watchmaking, as anticipated. Its execution is.
The movement features two independent chronograph movements; the first offers the classic display with central seconds and totalizer of the first 30 chrono minutes (counter at three o’clock), the second, coaxial to the first, has a scale concentric with that of the seconds, so as to offer an immediate reading of the totalizer of the seconds and of tenths using the scale on the flange and the reading between two red marks. This visualization is patented.
Technically and visually, the red lacquered tenth of a second hand completes a complete revolution of the dial in twelve seconds. As per Patek tradition, it is not exclusively the complication that stands out, but rather its excellent execution, whose obsessive level of care and fine-tuning aims to make the experience of use excellent. The project requirements therefore provide for a perfect measurement experience throughout the entire period of use, i.e. for all thirty minutes of timekeeping, which we summarize in the following paragraph.
The caliber CH 29-535 PS 1/10
It builds on the framework of the hand-wound CH 29-535 PS movement with split-seconds function, although engineers have worked to reduce its overall size. Compared to the latter, it is slightly thinner (6.96 mm versus 7.1 mm) despite the presence of the double chronograph requiring a considerable amount of energy to activate the two independent movements and theoretically taking up larger dimensions. Patek releases detailed information on how it achieved its goals of performance, precision, reliability. It is an appreciable technical guide aimed at the most refined collector.
Designed to guarantee perfect synchronism of the chrono hands, minimizing any (microscopic) oscillation effect of the spheres during the start, stop, and reset transients (rather than start, stop, restart), the caliber was also designed to resist shocks. impacts. The complication is finally managed via a single button inserted at two o’clock. The caliber is mounted inside a platinum case that is 41mm wide and 13.68mm thick from the edge of the upper sapphire crystal to that of the lower sapphire crystal. For this chronograph alone, Patek Philippe has filed seven new exclusive patents regarding the movement. The price is on request.