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Lot 162 The Patek Philippe Advanced Research department is dedicated to the research of new materials and components for watches. The department has achieved wide recognition for its efforts over the years and attracted much attention for innovative watch parts that contribute to improved rate accuracy and reliability.
The creation of silicon (si), or silicium in French, for use in watches has been one of the department's most significant contributions to watchmaking. Silicon is forged by using a technology of deep reactive ion etching, or DRIE. The technology itself was invented about 30 years ago and is widely used in the production of micromechanical parts. Patek Philippe used the technique to incorporate it in the making of watch components.
New developments based on the use of silicium or Silinvar as Patek Philippe likes to call it are the following:
- 2005: Silinvar escape wheel, which does not require lubrication
- 2006: Concentrically breathing flat Spiromax balance spring in Silinvar for improved isochronism
- 2008: Pulsomax escapement in Silinvar for more efficient power transmission
- 2011: all new Oscillomax subsystem, consisting of the Gyromax-Si balance in Silinvar and 24K gold, the Spiromax balance in Silinvar as well a refined Pulsomax escapement
The introduction and use of each of these new developments can be associated with four special limited edition references. Christie's is proud to present these special watch references for sale, all of them in excellent overall condition. Moreover, this is also the first time that all four Patek Philippe Advanced Research models are presented together at auction. It is also the first time ever that platinum reference 5550 comes up for auction.
The four references are, in year of appearance, corresponding to the announcements of the technological innovations made:
- 2005: Reference 5250 in 18K white gold. Made in a limited edition of 100 examples.
- 2006/2007: Reference 5350 in 18K pink gold. Made in a limited edition of 300 examples.
- 2008: Reference 5450 in platinum. Made in a limited edition of 300 examples.
- 2011/2012: Reference 5550 in platinum. Made in a limited edition of 300 examples.
The first three of these references are annual calendar watches, the latest reference is a perpetual calendar watch.
The creation of silicon (si), or silicium in French, for use in watches has been one of the department's most significant contributions to watchmaking. Silicon is forged by using a technology of deep reactive ion etching, or DRIE. The technology itself was invented about 30 years ago and is widely used in the production of micromechanical parts. Patek Philippe used the technique to incorporate it in the making of watch components.
New developments based on the use of silicium or Silinvar as Patek Philippe likes to call it are the following:
- 2005: Silinvar escape wheel, which does not require lubrication
- 2006: Concentrically breathing flat Spiromax balance spring in Silinvar for improved isochronism
- 2008: Pulsomax escapement in Silinvar for more efficient power transmission
- 2011: all new Oscillomax subsystem, consisting of the Gyromax-Si balance in Silinvar and 24K gold, the Spiromax balance in Silinvar as well a refined Pulsomax escapement
The introduction and use of each of these new developments can be associated with four special limited edition references. Christie's is proud to present these special watch references for sale, all of them in excellent overall condition. Moreover, this is also the first time that all four Patek Philippe Advanced Research models are presented together at auction. It is also the first time ever that platinum reference 5550 comes up for auction.
The four references are, in year of appearance, corresponding to the announcements of the technological innovations made:
- 2005: Reference 5250 in 18K white gold. Made in a limited edition of 100 examples.
- 2006/2007: Reference 5350 in 18K pink gold. Made in a limited edition of 300 examples.
- 2008: Reference 5450 in platinum. Made in a limited edition of 300 examples.
- 2011/2012: Reference 5550 in platinum. Made in a limited edition of 300 examples.
The first three of these references are annual calendar watches, the latest reference is a perpetual calendar watch.
Patek Philippe. A fine and rare 18K white gold limited edition automatic annual calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, power reserve indication, moon phases, silicon escape wheel, original certificate and box
SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, ADVANCED RESEARCH, ANNUAL CALENDAR MODEL, REF. 5250, MOVEMENT NO. 3'636'085, CASE NO. 4'339'186, CIRCA 2005
Closed11 November 2013
Price Realised
CHF 106,250
More Information
Specialist note
With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated January 2006, setting pin, instruction manual, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Reference 5250 in 18K white gold was made in a limited edition of 100 examples.
The present watch has never been offered at auction before and is sealed in a Patek Philippe transparent bag, containing the tag and pin.
Reference 5250 in 18K white gold was made in a limited edition of 100 examples.
The present watch has never been offered at auction before and is sealed in a Patek Philippe transparent bag, containing the tag and pin.