Patek Philippe

Hello Gentlemen, This is a 10Th anniversary review of the 5250P Advanced Research Patek Philippe. In early 2000, Patek Philippe decided to create a new innovation department which would aim at preparing the future in developing new technologies and workin...  

With the Freak... Best, Nicolas

Patek was only the first brand using the Silinvar alloy in its escapement, they never claimed to be the first one to use Silicon. It is not the alloy used by UN if I remember well. They went for another type of Silicon-based material. UN has also been pus... 

You are right, the composition of the material may be different. UN used diamond with silicon in 2007, and diamond in 2005. Now the question is to know if it is a good choice... Some watchmakers told me that silicon was great for accuracy, but if you won'... 

and especially the servicing or replacement issues in several decades from now. Yet, I imagine the positive point is that, like in any experimental sectors, we may not know today what it will lead to in the future (and maybe not Silicon-based this time). ... 

I was right when I first saw your Kari post :)) Good work, as always, looking forward to reading your nice posts, Mark. Rgds Raymond

I thought it was the beginning of an adventure for Patek, thus "10 years" could be nice mentionning. Have a great sunday :) Cheers, Mark

I'm glad to be part of this adventure, it is exciting. Thanks for mentionning and have a great sunday Raymond :) Cheers, Mark

Congratulations... And btw, very nice post, Adv Research pcs are not often talked about. Their importance is the same as the concept cars we see in autoshows, they reveal the technology that will be used and how futur models will benefit from it. At Patek... 

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I never was a great fan of the brushed metalic dials before, in general not only from Patek. But the more I see them (Kari's new acquisition, your fantastic picture...), the more I like it. Thanks for sharing ;) Cheers, Mark

Yes indeed, thank your very much Fricks. This is new and I'm looking forward to this nice experience :) What you say about AR is perfectly true. The kind of research in the field of new materials etc... is something experimental but which may bring much i... 

I am not so close to what PP has been doing more recently on their advanced research. Anything latest since they launched these 10 years ago? Great post and thanks for all the pics and write up Cheers Robin

In fact they launched their last AR watch in 2011, it was the 5550. I asked myself the same question and I'll try to learn something more during the next 2015 collection presentation in Paris. Thanks for your comments Robin Cheers, Mark Edit : After I rea... 

In 2005, Patek launched ref 5250 and introduced the Silinvar escape wheel In 2006 Patek launched ref 5350 and added the spiromax balance spring in Silinvar In 2008, Patek launched ref 5450 and added the Pulsomax escape, the anchor You have to remember tha... 

There is an excellent post made by Dje in 2011 that I may link here: And you're right to emphasize the fact that the "grand finale" was the introduction of the QP instead of an Annual Calendar complication. I noticed that point only lately... I will post... 

not a PP owner, maybe one day. I have a semiconductor physics background, so the utilization of silicon for both anti-magnetic properties and the incorporation with invar for minimizing the coefficient of thermal expansion is quite cool!

Yes, when it comes to sciences I think watchmaking is even more interesting. This must be even more true for you (engineer?) Thanks a lot for your kind words about my post Cheers, Mark

The attached are images from the official PP 5550 booklet that accompanied the watch. Information is provided on the timeline of the AR series of watches, culminating with the 5550. Cheers Jim ...  

Jim, I don't know if it is yours but thank you so much for sharing this. Patek 5550's owner have been very well treated with this "booklet". This makes me wish to have been one of the few who are a part of this adventure. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Mark

I like a lot 5250P and it would make a fantastic pair with my 5550P. But probably 5250 is too difficult to acquire and I need to manage having "just" one Advanced Research. Best, Kari

Many different caliber bases and different stage of the evolution of the Advanced Research program. Gathering them would be really cool. Anyway, you have now the most interesting one, the combination of all the previous discoveries and that's a very nice ... 

Singapore... Fantastic watch combined with fantastic scenery. Best, Kari PS. I do not spend the pool time with 5550P. I have 5711 as my swim watch.

I so wanted the 5450p Sadly never to be mine Best Imran

I guess the salmon dial hit the target! Even I have a slight preference for the 5550P I'll post something reminding all the versions evolution tomorrow I think. Cheers Imran, Mark

it's my most desirable Patek For your pleasure ...  

and you seem to have found an interesting matching "caramel" strap.