It’s been almost 180 years since Patek Philippe https://www.topwatch.co.za/brand/Patek-Philippe started manufacturing some of the world’s most luxurious watches. And of all the watches that have come out over the years, it is the Grandmaster Chime that remains the most beautiful, and the most complicated, of them all.
As a one of a kind luxury wristwatch, there is no surprise that numerous watch collectors eagerly look for this particular timepiece to add to their growing collection.
If you are a fan of Patek Philippe and you are looking for more information about this legendary watch, you have come to the right place.
Here are 10 things you didn’t know about the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime
It is one of the most researched and developed watches on the market. Over 100 000 hours, spanning roughly 8 years, was put into the development, the manufacturing and the final assembly of these watches. Over 60 000 of the 100 000 hours was dedicated to the watch movement.
The movement is a manual one, and it consists of 20 complications and 1 366 parts. It has 32 bridges and 108 jewels adorning it. In terms of micro-engineering, it is considered an astounding accomplishment.
The watch is double facing and can be worn with either of the dials facing up. It was a first of its kind for Patek Philippe. The rose gold case has been beautifully engraved and the watch reversing mechanism will lock the case in the position you choose.
The movement is the most complicated type ever produced by Patek Philippe, its designation is Caliber 300 GS AL 36-750 QIS FUS IRM.
The watch has an alarm with a time strike.
This wristwatch is the first of its kind, by Patek Philippe, to have grand sonneries and petite sonneries. Of the two, the grand sonnerie is without a doubt considered to be the most complicated as it is designed to chime each hour and each quarter.
Like many of the very best luxury watches https://www.topwatch.co.za/
out there, the Grandmaster Chime has its own perpetual calendar which displays change instantly, at the same time. This is in contrast to others that require up to an hour to change.A limited edition of these watches was released a few years back. Just 7 watches were produced. One now sits in the Patek Philippe Museum while the other 6 are out there in the world.
Back to the movement. Its movement contains 5 mechanisms, all of which have been patented. The alarm mechanism with its time strike, a date repeater, a silence mode (which was achieved by isolating the grand sonnerie), a strikework operating mode, and a 4 digit year display make up the 5 mechanisms.
Each of the reversible dials is made of 18k gold disks. While both sides of the watch display features a different style, they both have a time dial and a calendar dial, ensuring that the wearer has the information they require, regardless of the side they are using.