May 2013

Patek Philippe 5200G 8-Day And 5307P
Impressive new grand complication timepieces from Patek Philippe.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin

  At the recent Baselworld 2013 event, Patek Philippe presented a great selection of new timepieces for those seeking the very best in Horology. Two models we're focusing on today include the Patek Philippe 5200G Gondolo in white gold with blue or white dial and the blinged out grand complication 5307P in platinum. Aficionados will immediately recognize the 5200G model as being much like Patek's previous model 5100 limited edition 10-day, with the new 5200G sharing the same basic rectangular shape yet adds day and date indication.

Using the company’s Gyromax balance and Spiromax balance spring in the rectangular caliber 28-20 REC 8J PS IRM C J movement, the 5200G Gondolo has a heartbeat of 28,800 (4 Hz). This hand wound movement can store 8 days (192 hours, requiring 134 revolutions of the crown) of power and there is a front display to show the reserve power before needing to be wound once again. For both the matt blue sunburst and white dial we find gold applied hour markers. Case dimensions are 37.4 by 46.9 and height is 5.05 (mm).

According to the press release, "Unlike the 5100, however, the new Gondolo contains innovative Silinvar components from the 'Patek Philippe Advanced Research' think tank for which the manufacture has been granted numerous patents in the past years. The result is a fetching form movement with a genuine 8-day power-reserve display. Its date by hand and large aperture for the day of the week – both instantaneously switching – and an aesthetic personality cannot fail to delight watch enthusiasts. The caliber is accommodated in an anatomically curved rectangular case that celebrates the Art Deco style. It is an impressive example of Patek Philippe's competence in designing and building extraordinary timepiece cases." The strap is hand-stitched alligator with large scales, shiny blue or matt black, while there is a Patek Philippe 16 mm prong buckle supplied in 18K white gold.

Patek Philippe also used Baselworld 2013 to showcase their new 5307P-001 platinum men's grand complication timepiece. The manually wound Caliber RTO 27 PS QI movement includes true masterpiece engineering whilst fitting in such complications as minute repeater, tourbillon and instantaneous perpetual calendar all within a space of a mere 32 mm in diameter and 9.33 mm high. The minute repeater is especially musical, as with the activation of the left side switch will begin the dancing of a pair of hammers onto specially designed hand-tuned gongs that sound out the hour, quarter hour and minutes. The dial includes indications for day, date, month, leap year in apertures, moon phases and day/night indication plus a seconds subdial.

The blinged out bezel is set with 40 baguette diamonds (~3.91 ct) that offset the striking ebony-black sunburst dial. There are also matching baguette diamond hour markers and the hand-stitched alligator strap is secured by a Patek Philippe prong buckle with 6 baguette diamonds (~0.30 ct). For those who love to see the immense engineering and craftsmanship of the 35 jewels, 15 bridges and some of the 549 parts within the movement, the Patek Philippe 5307P-001 comes with an interchangeable full back and sapphire-crystal case back. The Gyromax balance operates at 21,600 (3 Hz) and the movements can store up to 48 hours or reserve before needing winding. Including the case and diamonds, the overall case diameter is 41 mm.

No pricing set, yet as Enjoy the Music.com's official longtime Patek collector i'd have to take an educated guess of $60,000 for the 5200G and $750,000 for the 5307P-001.

To learn more about Patek Philippe minute repeaters and why audiophiles will get a thrill from their hour, quarter hour and minute chimes / gongs, please see the below video.