The new Patek Philippe Quadruple Complication 5308G-001 combines four complications. Reference 5308G-001 is priced at €1,247,380.
The new Patek Philippe Quadruple Complication 5308G-001 combines four complications, three of which (minute repeater, instantaneous perpetual calendar with aperture displays, and split-seconds chronograph) are already considered Grand Complications in their own right.
The watch comes in a 42 mm x 17.71 mm white gold case with pierced lugs. Equipped with interchangeable solid and sapphire crystal case backs, the case is not water resistant, but it is protected against humidity and dust.
The sunburst ice blue dial features blue metallized white gold applied faceted baton-style hour markers and triple-faceted dauphine-style hour and minute hands.
The central split-seconds hands, along with the two smaller hands of the 60-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters, are easily recognisable at first glance as they are painted white.
Legibility is further enhanced by the railway-track minute scale, transfer printed in white on a blue background along the periphery of the dial.
Arranged along an arc between 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock, the day, date, and month indications are framed in 18K white gold with blue metallization. The instantaneous perpetual calendar mechanism ensures that the disks switch in just 30 milliseconds.
Completing these calendar displays are two round apertures for the day and night indication at 8 o’clock and the leap-year cycle at 4 o’clock. Both are indispensable when setting the calendar.
The moon phase is set within the small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock.
Comprising an astonishing 799 parts and measuring 32 mm by 12.28 mm, the self-winding Caliber R CHR 27 PS QI operates at a frequency of 3 Hz, or 21,600 vibrations per hour, with a power reserve of 38 to 48 hours. This is delivered by a unidirectional platinum mini rotor.
A true feat of miniaturisation and control of the forces acting on such tiny components, this movement stands out for the extreme complexity and density of its construction. This includes four concentric sweep hands with unusually long staffs, while still meeting all requirements of the Patek Philippe Seal. These include the stricter accuracy standards introduced in 2024, with daily variations limited to between -1 and +2 seconds.
To improve energy efficiency, Patek Philippe developed two new technical solutions for the split-seconds chronograph, both currently patent pending.
The first relates to the chronograph's coupling system. In many chronographs, a small spring is used to prevent the central chronograph hand from vibrating, but this requires extra energy. Patek replaced that solution with a newly designed wheel featuring flexible teeth, which maintains stability without requiring additional force or adjustment. Produced using advanced micro-manufacturing techniques, this component improves both efficiency and reliability.
The second innovation addresses the split-seconds function. In most such chronographs, stopping the second hand to read an intermediate time creates friction and consumes energy. Patek solved this by designing a mechanism that briefly lifts a key component out of contact, thereby reducing power loss. While similar principles have been used in earlier models, this latest version has been reengineered to be thinner and more efficient.
The minute repeater chimes on two traditional gongs, powered by a highly sophisticated system activated on demand via a slide-piece set into the caseband at 9 o’clock. It strikes the hours on the low-pitch gong, the quarters with alternating high and low tones, and the minutes past the last quarter on the high-pitch gong.
The watch is paired with a shiny navy blue alligator leather strap and fitted with a new patented triple-blade fold-over clasp in white gold. The Patek Philippe Quadruple Complication Reference 5308G-001 is priced at €1,247,380. patek.com
COMMENTS