The reference 5303 Minute Repeater Tourbillon was first released in 2019 in a limited edition of 12 watches at the “Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore 2019”. This particular reference showcases the first Patek Philippe minute repeater that presents the striking mechanism on the dial side with a clear view of the hammers and gongs. From the watch’s technical complexity in a minimal volume —that is, in the smallest possible height and diameter possible— to their elegance and their operability, these complications manifest craftsmanship that truly makes this model a precious work of art and love.
Now, a slightly modified version of the ref. 5303 Minute Repeater Tourbillon has joined the current Patek Philippe collection. This new ref. 5303, measuring 42 mm in diameter and 12.13 mm thick, is available with an alligator black leather strap with large square scales. The transparency aspect also applies to the tourbillon where the backside of its cage can be seen beneath the seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. In this veritably perfect composition, the filigreed steel parts shine through the backdrop of the rose gilt plate.
The 18K rose gold case is decisively unique, featuring a broad polished bezel as well as white gold intarsias engraved with foliage motifs in the flank and strap lugs. Additionally, the white gold minute repeater slide on the left caseband is engraved with a leaf-shaped pattern that matches the black hour circle with minute markers printed in white and golden powdered dots and the pierced black lacquered leaf-shaped hands in 18K white gold.
The subsidiary seconds feature leaf-shaped hands in 18k rose gold. Finally, the movement can be admired through the sapphire-crystal case back and is framed by a white gold rim. Its open-worked decoration echoes the case inlays and the repeater slide.
The aesthetic of the manually wound calibre R TO 27 PS, composed of 356 parts and 29 jewels, was subtly reworked to emphasize its appeal. For instance, certain components were pierced, as is common for skeletonized movements. Of course, Patek Philippe also mobilized its heritage in the manual finissage of movement parts: it decorated the plate with Genevan circular graining, applied a delicate perlage to the recesses, and decorated the hammers with a circular satin finish. Additionally, the movement of this model provides a power reserve of a minimum of 40 hours and a maximum of 48 hours all while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph.
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