Patek Philippe Grand Complications Watches
Complicated watchmaking is the supreme test of a watchmaker’s design and manufacturing prowess, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Patek Philippe Grand Complications collection. This breathtaking range of luxury timepieces offer classic designs that are sure to endure throughout the ages.
A Wide Variety of Grand Complications
Much like the Complications series, Patek Philippe Grand Complications watches are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and specifications. The most popular of these include:
Chiming Watches
Luxury timepieces that contain minute repeaters are often some of the most coveted by watch lovers and collectors alike. It is perhaps no surprise, therefore, that Patek Philippe has the largest collection of minute repeater watches in regular production – further positioning the brand as an industry leader when it comes to complicated wristwatches. A classic example of this are the Minute Repeater References 5078G and 5178G, which have classic or cathedral gongs to really appeal to the purist collector.
Despite the fact that minute repeaters are amongst the most challenging Grand Complications to manufacture, Patek Philippe effortlessly manages to push the boundaries of technical excellence even further. It does this by producing timepieces that blend the minute repeater with a host of other complications. Examples of this include the pairing of a minute repeater and perpetual calendars. This combination can be found in the Reference 5208, which also boasts an ultra-rare and complex self-winding movement and a mono-pusher chronograph. The Reference 5207 is also extremely unique in bringing together a minute repeater, a tourbillon, and an instantaneous perpetual calendar with aperture displays. Other examples can be found in the Reference 5531 World Time Minute Repeater, and the Reference 5303 Minute Repeater Tourbillon. A chiming alarm function can also be seen in the Reference 5520P Alarm Travel Time that features dual time zones and a classic chiming mechanism for the alarm.
Split Seconds Chronographs
The split second chronograph is an extremely challenging complication to master. Patek Philippe achieves this with aplomb with a range of watches that contain split-seconds chronographs paired with other complications. Examples of these include the References 5270 (chronograph + perpetual calendar), 5204 (perpetual calendar + split-seconds chronograph), and 5372 (split-seconds monopusher chronograph + perpetual calendar).
Astronomical Watches
Celebrating the manufacturer’s great tradition of astronomical timepieces, these exceptional creations show off the very best of Patek Philippe’s technical and artistic skills. The Sky Moon Tourbillon is a fantastic example of this. First released in 2001, it was the most complicated wristwatch that Patek Philippe had ever created at the time – boasting 12 complications. It was also the first double-faced watch in the manufacturer’s history. The front side displays the time, day, date, month, age of the moon, and leap year cycle. Flip it over and you’ll find several astronomical complications such as a depiction of the night sky, the phases of the moon, and sidereal time. A new version was released in 2013 that added an enamel dial and white gold case.
Super Complications
Patek Philippe’s Grandmaster Chime is one of the most complicated wristwatches in the entire world. It hosts 20 different complications, a reversible case, two independent dials and six patented innovations. The first of these models, the Reference 5175, was launched in 2014 in celebration of the manufacturer’s 175th anniversary. Only seven of these watches were produced, with one of them residing in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. Since then, the brand released Reference 6300 to reside in their regular catalogue.
2020 Grand Complications Watches
In 2020, Patek Philippe released several Grand Complications models that were updated versions of classic iterations. These include the Minute Repeater Tourbillon Reference 5303R, which debuted at the Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore 2019. Other members of this family are the
Split-seconds Chronograph Reference 5370P, and the Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Reference 5270J.
Inspired by Pocket Watches
While Patek Philippe have forged an impressive reputation as the masters of complex wristwatches, their experience actually goes back even further with the manufacturing of intricate pocket watches. Perhaps the most famous of these was the Graves Supercomplication, which boasted 24 complications and held the record for the most complicated pocket watch in existence from 1932 to 1989.
At this point, Patek Philippe broke its own record with the introduction of the Calibre 89, which boasted a total of 33 different combinations. These include a moon phase and moon display, a double chronograph, a perpetual calendar, and a second time zone display. It also has acoustic complications such as an alarm and a grande and petite sonnerie. To this day, the Calibre 89 still remains one of the most complex pocket watches in the world.
Watchmaking of the Highest Calibre
Patek Philippe has always been world renowned for their incredibly complex wristwatches and pocket watches. The Grand Complications collection is the epitome of this legacy, with several models in this range being amongst the most complicated timepieces ever made.
However, the Genevan manufacturer’s expertise stretches far beyond the use of impressive technology. Their finishes and materials are also second to none. For example, the casings are often guillochéed by hand, intricately engraved, or adorned with flawless diamonds. The designs are timelessly elegant, making them both status symbols and excellent opportunities for investment.