quattro
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Patek Philippe ref. 5224R: 24-hour display & travel time
When Patek Philippe introduced the ref. 5224R two years ago, it made me happy because it was a rose gold model (which I personally love and which has unfortunately become less common among their releases) with a very interesting double complication - 24-hour display & travel time -, a gorgeous case design and a very nice looking caliber with a platinum micro rotor (31-260 PS FUS 24H).
At 42 mm, I knew it would be too large for my wrist and I'm not completely sure I would feel very comfortable on a daily basis with the reading of time on the 24-hour display. But who cares? This watch deserves a dedicated thread.
It's often said that Patek used a 24-hour display in their Chronometro Gondolo pocket watches. But, most of the time, only one model is shown. So here are three different ones from the Patek Philippe Museum.
And, most importantly, the question I asked myself was: has there ever been a pocket watch with the same double complication (24-hour display and travel time)? The answer to this question is just below.
Enjoy!
Best,
Emmanuel
A/ Ref. 5224R
For a starter, here are some of the most beautiful photos I've found of this reference.
credit: a blog to watch
credit: hodinkee
credit: monochrome
credit: Sjx
credit: oracle time
credit: watch collecting lifestyle
B/ PATEK PHILIPPE CHRONOMETRO GONDOLO 24-HOUR DISPALY POCKET WATCHES
Now, here are three different Chronometro Gondolos which are a previous take on the 24-hour display by Patek Philippe. The third one is often shown, but not the two first ones. And I find it interesting to point out that the layout of the 5224R is different from all three: the 18h is located at 3 o’clock instead of 9 and, like in the first and third variants below, there is no “0” (but a “12” instead).
2/ Twenty-four Arabic with 0 on top
3/ Twenty-four Arabic with 24 on top
personal photos from the Patek Philippe Museum
credit: the keystone
C/ FOUR OTHER 24-HOUR DISPLAY POCKET WATCHES (one Agassiz & three Omegas)
Even if the Chronometro Gondolos are the most famous ones, there are many other 24-hour display pocket watches. Omega, in particular, has made several models and variants.
1/ G.C.T (Greenwich Civil Time) 24 hour dial pocket watch with Wind Indicator by Agassiz circa 1940 (G.C.T watches were navigational tools used by pilots and navigators during World War II)
credit: antiques boutique Agassiz
2/ Omega silver pocket watch with black 24h scale (with 24 on top) & red 12h scale from 6 to 12 o'clock, cal. 19.LBT1 (1925)
credit: marcels watch group
2/ Omega silver pocket watch with 60 minutes scale, black 24 hour scale (with 12 on top) & red 12 hour scale from 12 to 6 o'clock, cal. 19.LBT (1930)
4/ Same as previous with additional Compass indications in French at 12, 3, 6 & 9 o'clock (sud=south, ouest=west, nord=north, est=east)
credit: antiques atlas
D/ POCKET WATCH with 24-HOUR DISPLAY & DUAL TIME HAND
This is the only example I've found with the same double complication as the Patek ref. 5224R: 24-hour display and second time zone. Notice how it's different from the last example, which has a second time zone hand, but a regular 12-hour display.
credit: mokumwatches
Example with a 24h second time zone hand but with a regular 12-hour display for the time (hours & minutes) (English silver case with hallmarks for London 1884)
credit: atlam watches
Patek Philippe ref. 5224R: 24-hour display & travel time
When Patek Philippe introduced the ref. 5224R two years ago, it made me happy because it was a rose gold model (which I personally love and which has unfortunately become less common among their releases) with a very interesting double complication - 24-h...
Great
writing as always. I agree that the 5224R hits many nice points and has a uniqueness to it that is intriguing. I just want to see it in person to see how the 42mm wears in person to see if worth considering.
I still have to try it on too, someday!
And I still wonder if the 24-hour display would do it for me on a daily basis. Best, Emmanuel
Thank you very much for your kind words.
Much appreciated. Trying to trace the lineage of this watch, with its unusual double complication, was very interesting. Best regards, Emmanuel
Hi Emmanuel, A fantastic review of 5224R with its lineage !
I saw the 5524R at the Grand Exhibition in Tokyo during 2023 and its color scheme in the metal is rich and eye 👁️ catching 💪 On the wrist, people would notice this piece !
Thank you, Gordon!
I saw this watch only behind a display window. When I was in Geneva a couple of weeks ago I didn’t ask to try it on because there were many other watches I wanted to see in the metal and because I know this 42mm would be too large for my smallish wrist. B...
Gorgeous case here indeed, quattro!
And a treat to see those wonderful dials on the pocket watches.