The regulator watch is back and is all set to make its debut this week at Baselworld 2019. Cutting edge, in terms of design, aesthetics, complications and more importantly the movement itself, the new Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator 5235R in Rose Gold is unlike any other.
Let’s start with the aesthetics. Personally, we love the way Patek Philippe has played around with different shades to add a touch of modernity to a rather traditional looking timepiece. The watch features a beautiful two-tone dial in graphite and ebony-black with a vertical satin finish. The hands and markers are done in white, creating an elegant contrast.
Coming to the overall layout, this is what Patek Philippe calls a ‘Regulator-Style’ display. The hours and seconds are broken into sub-dials while the minute hand takes centre stage. The Logic?? Back in the days, a ‘Regulator-Style’ set up was used on master-clocks against which all timepieces were set. It had the hours and seconds on different sub dials, while the minute hand took centre stage. The idea was to have an unobstructed view of all three parts, to achieve the most accurate reading at any given time. Furthermore, this allowed the watchmakers to set the regulation of a watch at any given point.
The new Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator 5235R is powered by a 31-260 REG QA self winding movement which beats at a frequency of 23,040vph in comparison to caliber 240’s (the base movement used in Patek Philippe’s first regulator wrist watch), 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour. A higher frequency also makes it easier to adjust the accuracy to -3/+2 seconds per 24 hours. The power reserve has been extended to a comfortable 48 hours.
Cementing their undisputed position as innovators, the manufacture’s Advanced Research Department team have built the 31-260 REG QA self winding movement from ground up. It is notable for its high-tech regulator, incorporating a Pulsomax® escapement, Gyromax balance and a Spiromax® balance spring in Silinvar®. All this makes for an anti-magnetic, shock resistant, lubrication free, energy efficient, super accurate and non-corroding movement.
An Annual Calendar complication which indicates the day (just above 10 o clock), date (at 6 o clock) and month (just above 2 o clock) has also been incorporated into the movement and only requires adjustment once a year, i.e, on the 1st of March.
Crafted in a 40.5mm Rose Gold case the new Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator 5235R is only 10mm thick and is presented on a hand stitched matte black alligator leather strap with prong buckle. The case back allows the wearer to admire the beauty of the movement.
Simply put, this new release heralds a paradigm change and an unprecedented new era in mechanical watchmaking.
PRICE: EUR 47,020
Technical Specifications
Annual Calendar. Regulator-style display: hour and seconds subdials, sweep minutes. Day, date, month in apertures. Two-tone graphite and ebony black, vertical satin finish, white transfer-printed. Alligator leather with square scales, hand-stitched, matte black. Prong buckle. Rose gold. Sapphire-crystal case back. Water resistant to 30 m. Diameter: 40.5 mm. Height: 10 mm.
CALIBER 31-260 REG QA SELF-WINDING
Annual Calendar. Regulator-style display: hour and seconds subdials, sweep minutes hand. Diameter: 33 mm. Height: 5.08 mm. Parts: 313. Jewels: 31. Power reserve: Min. 38 hours – max. 48 hours. 22K gold off-center mini-rotor. Escapement: Pulsomax®. Balance: Gyromax®. Vibrations/hour: 23 040. Balance spring: Spiromax®. Hallmark: Patek Philippe Seal.