As a highlight to “The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition New York 2017” from July 13th to the 23rd at Cipriani 42nd Street, Patek Philippe created nine limited special editions watches and two that take the center stage are the two 5-piece limited edition World Time Minute Repeaters ref. 5531. As usual, here are our first live pictures of these two fascinating watches. Yesterday July 12th, we were invited by Patek Philippe to the opening cocktail of this amazing exhibition and after seeing the watches in person all we can say is wow.
The new Ref. 5531 which just debuted at the exhibition in New York took five years to develop and produce and it is the first Patek Philippe watch that unites the two complications that epitomize the manufacture: a minute repeater and the World Time function. In merging these complications, Patek Philippe succeeded in implementing an even more important innovation. Unlike other World Time minute repeaters that acoustically indicate home time even when their owners are located at the other end of the world, the Ref. 5531 always strikes local time, which means the hour displayed by the hands from the center in that time zone represented by the city aligned with the 12 o'clock position on the dial. To accomplish this feat, Patek Philippe developed the new automatic movement calibre R 27 HU and a patent application has been filed for its unprecedented design. The 462-part movement is protected by an elegant 18K rose gold case with pierced lugs. Its caseband is hand-guilloched with Patek Philippe’s iconic 'Clous de Paris' hobnail pattern. The case dimensions are 42 mm from 10 to 4 o'clock and 43.83 from 3 to 9 o'clock.
As far as the dial, this is adorned with a cloisonné enamel motif at the center. This little masterpiece of craftsmanship pays tribute to New York and depicts the Manhattan skyline by day and by night. The new Ref. 5531 World Time Minute Repeater New York 2017 Special Edition consists of two 5-watch versions —five with the “New York by Day” dial ref. 5531R-010 and five with the “New York by Night” dial ref. 5531R-011. All watches have a sapphire-crystal case back with the engraved inscription “PATEK PHILIPPE NEW YORK 2017” as well as an interchangeable back in solid rose gold with the same engraving. The watches will be exclusively sold in the U.S. and the buyers will be screened and approved by Mr. Thierry Stern. While both watches are stunning our favorite one is the 'New York by Night' as its cloissoné dial center in yellow and brown tones is a much better pairing for its 18K rose gold case.
Sticker Price $561,343 USD for either reference. For more info on Patek Philippe click here.
Technical Specifications
World Time Minute Repeater Ref. 5531R New York 2017 Special Edition
Movement: Caliber R27 HU. Ultra-thin self-winding mechanical movement. Minute repeater with local-time strike. 24 time zones Local time. Number of parts: 462. Number of jewels: 45. Power reserve: 48 hours. Winding rotor: 22K gold minirotor, unidirectionally winding. Frequency: 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour (3 Hz). Balance: Gyromax®. Balance spring: Spiromax® (in Silinvar®). Balance spring stud: Adjustable.
Case: 18K rose gold. Case dimensions: Diameter 10 to 4 o'clock: 42 mm
Width 9 to 3 o'clock: 43.83 mm
Length across lugs: 47.35 mm
Height crystal to lugs: 12.08 mm
Height crystal to case back: 11.49 mm
Width between lugs: 21 mm
Case Back: Sapphire-crystal display back and interchangeable solid-gold back, both engraved with “PATEK PHILIPPE NEW YORK 2017". The case is protected against moisture and dust, but it is not water-resistant.
Displays: With hands:
• Center hours and minutes with disks
• City disk with 24 city's names
• 24-hour disk
Functions: Two-position crown:
• Pushed home: To wind the watch
• Pulled out: To set the time
Pusher: Time-zone pusher at 2 o'clock (local time setting in 1-hour increments).
Minute repeater actuation: Slide in left-hand case flank.
Dial: • City disk in German silver, opaline silvery white with place names printed in black.
• 24-hour disk in 18K rose gold 5N, day hours engraved and brown tinted – engraved sun symbol, night hours and moon symbol engraved in brown background.
• Center in 18K gold with cloisonné enamel depicting a polychrome view of the New York City skyline:
– 5 watches “New York by Day” in bright daytime colors.
– 5 watches “New York by Night” in warm, dark nocturnal colors.
• Hour and minute hands in 18K rose gold, lapped, hour hand with “Southern Cross” silhouette, pierced.
Strap: Alligator leather with large square scales, hand-stitched, shiny chocolate brown, foldover clasp in 18K rose gold.
