Patek Philippe Quadruple Complication 5308G

Russell Sheldrake

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• The Patek Philippe ref. 5308G-001 Quadruple Complication combines a split-second chronograph, perpetual calendar, and minute repeater. 
• Its most progressive characteristic is the 2 patented chronograph options that elevate it above what got here earlier than, whereas solely marginally rising thickness. 
• Although touted as a standard-production mannequin, its worth is something however customary, and can set you again a whopping CHF 1,050,000. 

The perpetual calendar chronograph is my favorite complication mixture from Patek Philippe, so once they launched the brand new Quadruple Complication that mixes these two with a break up seconds performance and a minute repeater at Watches and Wonders this 12 months, I knew it was going to be one thing particular. The ref. 5308G-001 brings collectively the entire unbelievable experience the Genevan watchmaker holds in its excessive issues division right into a compact and somewhat good-looking type. The watch itself is predicated on a restricted run that was offered on the Tokyo Watch Artwork Grand Exhibition in 2023, which now enters the principle catalogue.

There’s a lot to unpick with this mannequin, so bear with me. In typical Patek type, the quite a few layers of issues are displayed in probably the most elegant and comfy method doable, with perpetual calendar indications built-in into the dial in a near-seamless trend. The day, date, and month apertures match between the markers at 10 and a couple of, whereas the intercalary year is tucked into the 60-minute counter at 3. A delicate day/evening indicator seems within the 12-hour counter at 9, and the moonphase has been inverted to assist the dial stability higher and never encroach on the chronograph capabilities. All of this takes place on a sea of ice blue contrasted with white and darker blue accents.

Whereas the dial structure is spectacular and clearly properly thought by way of, it’s within the motion development that this watch actually reveals its mastery. The calibre R CHR 27 PS QI is predicated on the R CH 27 PS QI that was first utilized in 2011 to energy the ref. 5208 – the addition this motion brings to the fore is split-second performance for the chronograph. This solely will increase the motion’s thickness by 1.93mm, all due to a patented system to separate the break up seconds hand from the operating of the opposite chronograph seconds hand. This isolation system’s true genius is available in the truth that it requires virtually no vitality to carry the break up seconds hand in place.

A second innovation that Patek has dropped at this motion is discovering a extra elegant resolution to a difficulty that might usually plague any chronograph with a horizontal clutch, and that’s the stuttering of the seconds hand. Historically, this has been resolved by including a spring to supply friction. As a substitute of getting this spring on the chronograph wheel, Patek has redesigned the clutch wheel so that every of its enamel is manufactured from a spring blade, creating an anti-backlash wheel. This additionally dramatically reduces vitality consumption when the chronograph is activated.

Total, this unbelievable motion has 799 parts in it, with 48 hours of energy reserve topped up by the small platinum micro-rotor. Whereas that will not sound like loads, when you could have so many issues stacked on high of each other, it’s phenomenal that it could obtain this quantity, and even 10 hours much less with the chronograph operating.

The case is produced from white gold, and options an interchangeable strong or sapphire show caseback to indicate off this unbelievable motion. That is one thing Patek has been providing on numerous its watches for years now, and permits the shopper to decide on whether or not they need their watch to really feel extra classic with the secretive closed caseback or to indicate off the Patek Philippe Seal ending of the motion.

It’d really feel as if I’ve barely brushed over the instantaneous perpetual calendar or minute repeater capabilities on this watch, however the complexity of the improvements to the chronograph options felt as if they required an article to themselves, whereas the opposite options listed here are nothing terribly new to the Patek catalogue – though that ought to not detract from their magnificence and technicality.  Not dangerous for a watch that can set you again north of CHF 1 million…

Patek Philippe ref 5308G-001 Quadruple Complication pricing and availability

The Patek Philippe ref. 5308G-001 Quadrule Complication is out there now. Value: CHF 1,050,000