Patek Philippe

Mark in Paris
[Purist]
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Patek Philippe 5350 – 10th Anniversary of 2nd Advanced Research timepiece

Early in this millennium, Patek Philippe created a new innovation department tasked with developing new technologies and new materials. It was called the Advanced Research program.

Some of the main problems that watchmakers have faced for centuries, since the adoption of the traditional Swiss lever escapement, are related to lubrication, mechanical wear and temperature compensation.

At the end of the 19th century, the "Invar" alloy was created resulting in a material minimally influenced by temperature fluctuations. Today, the Silinvar® material that could address contain all the issues mentioned above is, in fact, a kind of oxidized Silica developed by CSEM (Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique) in Neuchatel, under the auspices of a joint group composed of Patek Philippe, Rolex and the Swatch Group.

From that point, the Patek Philippe's Advanced Research department elaborated the first visible patented element of the Advanced Research program, the Silinvar® escape wheel in 2005 (see picture here below), which was integrated in the first Advanced Research watch, Reference 5250 in white gold (39mm, based on ref. 5146). More precisely, it was housed in the 315 S IRM QA LU SI® caliber, denoting an Annual Calendar with a Central seconds hand, Power Reserve Indicator and Moon phase indicator.

That was the beginning of a courageous program showing that Patek Philippe, beside its wide historical legacy, is also looking towards the future, not wanting to stand still and be complacent about progress and technology provided by the 21st century.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Ref. 5350 that was launched only one year after the seminal Ref. 5250. This 5350 case is made of rose gold and Patek Philippe added the Spiromax (Silinvar® spiral) to the previous escape wheel (introduced in the 5250G as the flat hairspring element of the program) that is still in the caliber 324.

The 5350 was issued as a 300 piece edition.

The advantages are better isochronism, amagnetic properties, temperature compensated and lighter (less damage issues) thus a higher precision keeping, which we all seek in the field of watchmaking.

This is a 5350R wristshot of one of our member:

The technique used for crafting these hairsprings makes them all identical, needing no individual setting and adjustment for precise function. On the other hand, it needs very high grade industrial techniques to get them perfect without needing any correction.

And another couple of pictures of the 5350R belonging to another fellow purist:

Happy 10 years birthday!

Cheers, Mark

PS: More details about the Advanced Research program in the recap article posted here: www.watchprosite.com