Comments:
I still find this dial cluttered and much prefer the 3940 (except the case size) but the contrasting elements here vastly improve this watch--and its nice that the pt now distinguishes itself from the wg in an obvious way--unlike the 3940. Not bad, PP.
Interesting read.
Thanks for sharing. And of course well done PP! A simply marvelous achievement.
Jerome thank you for your excellent and..........
Fully indepth report.
Some "live" photots and the fully explained diagrams, have certainly helped me to apprciate the work taken to acheive such a nice looking piece.
I doubt very much that I will get the opportunity to see one, dummy or otherwise.
So will have to be content and hope that other members will be able to show us. 
Thanks a lot Jérôme for this great article
First of all, I find the watch beautiful... they slightly updated the design and the result is great.
Let's back to the technical features of the watch.
They improve the performances, that's clear if we read the charts.
But the key points remain unknown:
- what will be the behaviour of these parts in 10/15 years ? Nobody knows it. And you can't simulate this period even if you speed up the frequency. It won't be the same thing.
- second point is I think a sort of misunderstanding between the expectations of the brand and the perception of the customers. A lot of clients (and I am amongst them) believe that silicium and related techniques will be really interesting to produce in a few years cheap components. With the improvement of the machines, it will become easier and easier to produce a huge number of silicium parts. So, what is my interest to buy a Patek if in 10 years I find silicium in watches of the low segment ? Because I'm sure that the future of silicium is the low segment not the high segment.
- last point is the sort of gap between the very classic design of the watch and the innovative look of the movement. I much prefer for example the JLC or UN approach which is more coherent IMHO.
These are only my feelings... but again, thanks a lot for this great article.
Fx
Let's back to the technical features of the watch.
They improve the performances, that's clear if we read the charts.
But the key points remain unknown:
- what will be the behaviour of these parts in 10/15 years ? Nobody knows it. And you can't simulate this period even if you speed up the frequency. It won't be the same thing.
- second point is I think a sort of misunderstanding between the expectations of the brand and the perception of the customers. A lot of clients (and I am amongst them) believe that silicium and related techniques will be really interesting to produce in a few years cheap components. With the improvement of the machines, it will become easier and easier to produce a huge number of silicium parts. So, what is my interest to buy a Patek if in 10 years I find silicium in watches of the low segment ? Because I'm sure that the future of silicium is the low segment not the high segment.
- last point is the sort of gap between the very classic design of the watch and the innovative look of the movement. I much prefer for example the JLC or UN approach which is more coherent IMHO.
These are only my feelings... but again, thanks a lot for this great article.
Fx
Extreme Lab by Patek??? See what Lange does ...
I also do not associate Patek with "high tech" like JLC for instance.
As Lange has and is still showing: using tarditional techniques and clockwork still can result in some truely groundbraking watches:
LANGE ZEITWERK!
It has got still clockwork-parts of a traditional pocket watch ( like the Bregeut like looking "Stellung" is the German word for it
and I do not know the english term for it. There is alos a "Stellung" from the French watchmaker Lepine... if somebody can tell me the English term, that would be much appreciated) and in combination with the new force escapement system it has resulted in a very futuristic watch.
Same with the chain and fusee mechanism: a traditional pocket watch technique!
I have very mixed feelings at the moment about PP approach to the siliconE valley ;-).
An Extreme Lab Watch from Patek? ... Don't know?
Anyhow: a nice speculation object again from PP, nothing more.
Esthetically: the current blue 5140 P beats it, not by a mile: by lightyears... !
Regards
Moritz
PS: The mentioned "Stellung" is also a way to use just the desired part of the mainspring, where the force is released most equal.
This message has been edited by COUNT DE MONET on 2011-04-09 03:09:38 This message has been edited by COUNT DE MONET on 2011-04-09 03:22:10
As Lange has and is still showing: using tarditional techniques and clockwork still can result in some truely groundbraking watches:
LANGE ZEITWERK!
It has got still clockwork-parts of a traditional pocket watch ( like the Bregeut like looking "Stellung" is the German word for it
and I do not know the english term for it. There is alos a "Stellung" from the French watchmaker Lepine... if somebody can tell me the English term, that would be much appreciated) and in combination with the new force escapement system it has resulted in a very futuristic watch.
Same with the chain and fusee mechanism: a traditional pocket watch technique!
I have very mixed feelings at the moment about PP approach to the siliconE valley ;-).
An Extreme Lab Watch from Patek? ... Don't know?
Anyhow: a nice speculation object again from PP, nothing more.
Esthetically: the current blue 5140 P beats it, not by a mile: by lightyears... !
Regards
Moritz
PS: The mentioned "Stellung" is also a way to use just the desired part of the mainspring, where the force is released most equal.
This message has been edited by COUNT DE MONET on 2011-04-09 03:09:38 This message has been edited by COUNT DE MONET on 2011-04-09 03:22:10
advanced research?
Am i the only one who think that there's no need to show on the dial the inscription Advances Research?
Where is the magic to keep this LE undisclosed to the other people's eyes, except for the brand's lovers or simple fans?
Where is the magic to keep this LE undisclosed to the other people's eyes, except for the brand's lovers or simple fans?
An incredibly comprehensive post! I appreciate the
time and effort to bring this forward in such a detailed and informative manner.
The new hands, colored markers are a huge improvement!!
I still find this dial cluttered and much prefer the 3940 (except the case size) but the contrasting elements here vastly improve this watch--and its nice that the pt now distinguishes itself from the wg in an obvious way--unlike the 3940. Not bad, PP.
5140P/5550P
Yes, the dial on the 5140 is slightly cluttered. Yes, it is not quite as perfect a dial as the 3940. Nevertheless, with its thin elegance and dial simplicity, the 5140 remains at the top of the world of perpetuals, and is "perfect enough" for me.
Now, with the 5550P, the 240 movement gets a technological facelift, likely insuring its use for years to come.
Not sure whether these new distinctive markings (railroad track seconds, PG markers and hands, leaf hands, the luminox seconds and hands, the "Advanced Research" label, or the silver dial) will work aesthetically, or whether they will be too "busy" and detract. At first glance, the combination of pink gold and platinum may not be pleasing. Cant' tell 'till you see it. But, no worries, only 300 people will get one.
My guess is that the Count has it right...........the best aesthetics remain with the stunning blue face 5140P introduced in Basel 2010..........ideal combination would be the AR movement in the existing 5140P.
This message has been edited by gary01 on 2011-04-09 11:35:19
Now, with the 5550P, the 240 movement gets a technological facelift, likely insuring its use for years to come.
Not sure whether these new distinctive markings (railroad track seconds, PG markers and hands, leaf hands, the luminox seconds and hands, the "Advanced Research" label, or the silver dial) will work aesthetically, or whether they will be too "busy" and detract. At first glance, the combination of pink gold and platinum may not be pleasing. Cant' tell 'till you see it. But, no worries, only 300 people will get one.
My guess is that the Count has it right...........the best aesthetics remain with the stunning blue face 5140P introduced in Basel 2010..........ideal combination would be the AR movement in the existing 5140P.
This message has been edited by gary01 on 2011-04-09 11:35:19
New respect for Patek
I always respected patek as one of the best watch makers in the world, but after reading your post I have a new level of respect for what they do. It was amazing to see the amount of research and technology that is put into every piece. Thanks for the post, it was very informative!
Best
SamEE
Best
SamEE
great post, thanks
good to see the thinking behind this development line. I am not sure the DRIE technology as presented here is that unique to Patek though and I think that some other escapements (AP ....) are more innovative than this which is essentially, if I understand it correctly, fine-tuning aspects of the traditional lever escapements given the control that the new material and technique allows. I for one do like the look of the watch very much!
Best
Andreas
Thanks Andreas
Hi,
This is still a Swiss lever escapement. Apparently Patek Philippe is very happy of this classic.
The DRIE technique is not exclusive to PP, and is not new either. The evolution of the technique may be less spread to that level.
Cheers
Dje
This is still a Swiss lever escapement. Apparently Patek Philippe is very happy of this classic.
The DRIE technique is not exclusive to PP, and is not new either. The evolution of the technique may be less spread to that level.
Cheers
Dje
very innovative and very efficient technology from Patek
Not only Patek reached a new level of how to improve the power reserve but the accuracy as well. The silinvar material in the balance, balance spring and escapement seems to be a very promising and leading technology. Very nice movement finish as usual. Thanks for the nice report.
Truly interesting, Dje! Thanks! And let me ask:
Do you know what is that for?
Looks like a "languet" for opening the back with a finger...