The recently concluded Watches and Wonders 2022 trade show saw Patek Philippe release 12 novelties. However, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer saved one of its most technically complex wristwatches for a standalone launch. Behold the Patek Ref. 5470P-001 1/10th Second Monopusher Chronograph, the first high-beat chronograph by the legendary watch brand that was revealed on Wednesday. Don’t be fooled by its classic platinum two-register chronograph look, the movement housed inside the case is a technical masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of horological engineering. The timepiece incorporates 31 patented innovations, seven exclusive to this reference.
“We have been working altogether,” said Patek Philippe president Thierry Stern. “The first part, of course, which was the most important, was the movement. It’s not always easy to create a wristwatch with so many components and so much difficulty.” According to Stern, the idea for the watch originated ten years ago while thinking of ways to improve the CHR 29-535 PS split-seconds chronograph movement. However, the watchmaker didn’t have the technology to slim it down to the point where the wristwatch powered by the movement would have the proper proportions.
The newest advancements in technology have allowed Patek Philippe to rework the movement that debuted in 2009 and create the new CH 29-535 PS 1/10 movement that is just 6.96mm thick. The manually wound movement consists of two superimposed chronograph mechanisms and extensively uses silicon components that function more efficiently. The frequency has also been sped up from 4Hz to 5Hz, which allows for the ten steps per second required for a 1/10th second chronograph. The movement offers a power reserve of 48 hours with the chronograph deactivated.
The 41mm case of the Ref. 5470P is made out of 950 platinum and features a design inspired by that of the Ref. 5370. It gets recessed and satin-finished flanks with lugs adorned with decorative cabochon, while there’s a diamond on the rim of the case at 6 o’clock between the lugs. As far as the dial goes, it has a blue lacquer finish. The chronograph’s measurements are displayed using two centrally mounted hands. The first indicates individual seconds by completing a rotation in 60 seconds. The red hand goes around the dial in just 12 seconds and reads off a 120-sector railway track, allowing for a 1/10th second reading. The watch is fitted with a navy-blue calfskin strap with an embossed fabric pattern, red stitching, and a platinum foldover clasp. The price is upon request.
