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Patek Philippe emphasizes its reputation as the source for best minute repeater with a new model, Reference 5750 Advanced Research Minute Repeater, a high-pitched ticking wristwatch that uses a new sound amplification system.
Patek Philippe will produce 15 Refs in 40mm platinum. 5750 research-advanced minute repeater clocks.
The Geneva watchmaker says its new watch offers trickling time alarms that can be heard up to 180 feet away from the wearer’s wrist.
Patek Philippe’s new system, dubbed ‘Fortissimo ff,’ includes a sonic lever, or metal ‘blade’, that oscillates a sapphire crystal wafer located on the back of the watch. Patek Philippe Advanced Research has spent several years developing the Fortissimo ff and will order it in 15 40mm platinum Refs. 5750 research-advanced minute repeater clocks.
The watch maker says its new system, for which Patek Philippe has registered three patents, essentially builds a new path for sound to reach the wearer’s ears. The hammers on the new model, built directly from the design of Patek Philippe’s famous R 27 PS (from 1989) movement, are traditionally struck on a titanium ring. Then the new ‘Fortissimo ff’ module took over to amplify the sound.
The new design transmits the gong oscillations to the sapphire slab, which, unlike traditional repeaters, is not connected to the case and vibrates on its own. This effectively amplifies the sound, sending it out through four openings at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock in the titanium ring. A dust filter protects the movement.
As noted, the resulting chime can be heard up to 180 feet away from the watch, according to Patek Philippe. Traditional repeaters become hard of hearing about 30 feet away from the clock.
Platinum cases and components
Since the sound waves generated with the new ‘Fortissimo ff’ technology never touch the watch case, the metal case of the watch does not affect the sound.
However, Patek Philippe has made some metallic changes to the movement design when compared to the slide-triggered Ref. The 5178-minute repeater, is the inspiration for the new Ref. 5750.
A small platinum rotor replaces the original model found on the Cal. R27. With greater material density, the platinum version offers the same winding strength but with a slimmer design.
The watchmaker replaced the steel hammers found on the Ref. 5178-minute repeater with platinum hammer, produces a softer beat. Furthermore, a small platinum rotor replaces the original model’s gold rotor. With greater material density, the platinum version offers the same winding strength but with a slimmer design.
Contemporary dials
Patek Philippe tops its new watch with an open dial that features a modern design that is significantly different from the watchmaker’s classic minute repeater dials.
The watchmaker says the diamond-shaped wheels of 1960s cars inspired the skeleton dials of the watches. The main dial is embossed with a similarly styled seconds sub-dial. And in another break from Patek Philippe tradition, the second dial indicates the seconds using a rotating disc rather than the traditional hands.
The watch is set on a shiny orange alligator strap with black stitching and a platinum folding clasp. Patek Philippe will produce fifteen Refs in platinum. 5750 “Advanced Research” minute repeaters. Price on request.
For more technical details and some excellent videos on the Patek Philippe Ref. 5750 Advanced Research Minute Repeater, click this.
Technical chronology
Below, we list the technical achievements of Patek Philippe’s Advanced Research department since the first results were released in 2005.
2005: Silinvar, a new, patented material based on monocrystalline silicon. It was developed in collaboration with Rolex, Swatch Group and CSEM in Neuchâtel, and is suitable for applications in watchmaking. Also in 2005: First escape wheel in Silinvar. This new unit improves reliability as it requires no lubricant. It also reduces moving mass (better efficiency), resists corrosion and remains completely concentric.
2006: Spiromax balance spring in Silinvar, optimizing speed accuracy by improving isochronism thanks to the concentric breathing (expansion and contraction) of the balance spring.
2008: Pulsomax escapement in Silinvar, optimizing the shape of the escape wheel and lever, and increasing energy efficiency by 15%.
2011: Oscillomax assembly (Pulsomax escapement with GyromaxSi balance and Spiromax balance spring)?.
2017: Optimized Spiromax balance spring. In addition, correction sets with a steel compliance mechanism. This takes advantage of the material’s elasticity in microstructures and replaces joints with shafts and leaf springs. This technical development offers many advantages: simple assembly (12 parts compared to the previous 37 parts), flatter design, no mechanical action, no friction, no wear, resulting in complete lubricant-free functionality and excellent energy efficiency.
