Emmanuel (quattro) masterfully introduces Patek Philippe's new complicated Desk Clock ref. 27000M-001, tracing its lineage back to horological masterpieces commissioned by James Ward Packard and Henry Graves Jr. This article delves into the historical context and intricate complications of these extraordinary timepieces, offering a rare glimpse into Patek Philippe's legacy of desk clocks.
Patek Philippe released a new complicated Desk Clock ref. 27000M-001. It's a new iteration of the Only Watch 2021, ref. 27001M-001, which was itself inspired by two complicated desk clocks made, one for James Ward Packard in 1923 and the other for Henry Graves Jr. in 1927.
The manual winding caliber 86-135 PEND IRM Q SE includes the following 8 complications:
Perpetual calendar.
Day, month, leap year and day/night indication displayed in apertures.
Date indicated by hand.
Week number indicated by a mobile frame.
Moon phases.
Hours and minutes displayed in a subsidiary dial.
Large central seconds hand (jumping seconds).
Central power reserve indication (31 Days).
I know that desk clocks may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I would personally be more than happy to have one of these extraordinary masterpieces on my desk!
Best, Emmanuel
PS: for a broader view, I decided to include the two pocket watches Packard and Graves are most known for: it makes this thread a little heavier, but also more complete for those who will be interested.
A/ James Ward Packard & Henry Graves Jr.'s complicated desk clocks
1/ James Ward Packard (1863-1928)
The 1923 clock features 7 complications (perpetual calendar, day & month in aperture, date by hand, moon phases, hours & minutes in sub-dial, large central seconds hand & power reserve indicator).
Referred to as “Le Presse-papiers” in French, it served as both a desk clock and paperweight. It also housed a secret compartment underneath for storing small personal mementos, along with the winding key.
The Packard 1923 desk clock (left) & the Only Watch 2021 (right)
credit: Patek Philippe in America
credit: @watcharts & hodinkee
credit: Patek Philippe Pocket Watches by Huber and Banbery
The James Ward Packard Astronomical Pocket Watch aka "The Packard": the Patek Philippe pocket watch James Ward Packard is most known for
This pocket watch was commissioned by James Ward Packard in 1927 and is one of the most complicated Patek Philippe watches ever made: it includes a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, running equation of time (equation of time marchant), and sunrise and sunset times. As well, the back has a highly detailed star chart, showing the stars visible at any time of year rising and setting in the sky above Warren, Ohio – Packard's birthplace.
credit: hodinkee
2/ Henry Graves Jr. (1868-1953)
credit: John Reardon of Collectability
The Henry Graves Jr. Patek Philippe Supercomplication: the Patek Philippe pocket watch Henry Graves Jr. is most known for
This pocket watch n° 198.385 contains 24 different horological complications. It was constructed over a period of seven years, beginning in 1925. It can be described as a gold, double-dialed and double open-faced, minute repeating clockwatch with Westminster chimes, grande and petite sonnerie, split seconds chronograph, registers for 60-minute and 12-hours, perpetual calendar, moon-phases, equation of time, dual power reserve for striking and going trains, mean and sidereal time, central alarm, indications for times of sunrise/sunset and a celestial chart for the night time sky of New York City.
credit: hodinkee
B/ The Complicated Desk Clock for Only Watch 2021, ref. 27001M-001
DIAL: Yellow-gilt opaline dial with black transfer-printed indications.
CABINET: Sterling silver 925. American walnut veneers with retro-style screen-printed gilt lines. Vermeil decorative elements (gold-plated silver).
Dimensions: 164.6x125mm. Height: 76.3mm.
Humidity- and dust-protected only.
The Clock
credit: @frm.watchleo
Close ups of the dial
Decorations
Winding & setting elements
Piece unique signature
credit: Sjx
C/ The newly released 2025 Complicated Desk Clock ref. 27000M-001
DIAL: Silvery opaline with black transfer-printed indications.
Humidity- and dust-protected only (not water-resistant).
The Clock
credit: @watchoosy
Close-ups of the dial
credit: @watchoosy
Decorations
credit: @watchoosy
Setting elements
Caliber 86-135 PEND S IRM Q SE (please, also check the live photos posted here by GLau)
Dimensions: 135 x 86 mm. Thickness: 28.55 mm. Number of parts: 912. Power reserve: 31 Days. Frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations/hour (4 Hz)
credit: @watchoosy
credit to all images except when specified : Patek Philippe
Key Points from the Discussion
The new Patek Philippe Desk Clock ref. 27000M-001 features a 31-day power reserve and a week indication, distinguishing it from its historical predecessors.
The new Desk Clock is considered a limited edition due to its enamel panels, aligning it with Patek Philippe's rare handcrafts pieces, though the exact production number is not specified.
The Roman numerals on the new Desk Clock are inverted, a design choice that one collector views as a significant aesthetic misstep.
A historical photograph of James Ward Packard at his desk provides a visual context for the original desk clocks, enhancing the appreciation for these historical pieces.
There is a desire among collectors for Patek Philippe to produce these complicated desk clocks in a more regular production format, making them more accessible.
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The Discussion
QU
quattro
Apr 6, 2025
Maybe we have larger egos... The newer clocks have a 31 days power reserve (multiple large barrels) and a week indication. But apart from this, I don't know (and don't mind personally). Best, Emmanuel
PA
patrick_y
Apr 6, 2025
Wished they made these in a more regular production format! So that way I would have one on my desk!
GL
GLau
Apr 6, 2025
this year’s rare handcrafts pieces due to its enamel panels, and therefore is a limited edition. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to find out the number of pieces.
QU
quattro
Apr 6, 2025
Seeing no indication of it being a limited edition, I thought it was a production version. Completely unaffordable, but wonderful...
QU
quattro
Apr 6, 2025
but the enamel is certainly wonderful in real life.
MD
mdg
Apr 6, 2025
...but this is super cool. I would not have flipped the Roman numerals, which I think is a huge mistake...
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