Among that elite circle of manufacturers known to produce the devilishly complex minute repeater complication, none are more widely celebrated than Patek Philippe. Not just because of Patek Philippe’s long expertise in producing these exquisite and highly intricate chiming watches, but their fanatical attention to the sound quality produced by the chimes–itself a difficult acoustic mark to hit, and one affected by many factors, including the length and thickness of the gong springs, the way in which the hammers are adjusted to hit them, and the resonance properties of the case material and its constructive quirks. Patek has spent many decades mastering this exquisite complication, and one could say they’ve made it a bit of a pleasantly fanatical pursuit to produce the best in class. Indeed, as is well known to many horological devotees, each and every Patek Philippe watch with minute repeater complication is presented to the company head (Thierry Stern, and before him, his father Philippe) who passes the final judgment on whether the product is ready for a discerning owner, or must go back to the master watchmaker’s bench for further minuscule adjustments.
A quick visit to YouTube to listen to any number of Patek Philippe minute repeater watches of both old and more recent production quickly reveals just how good the brand is at “getting it right”–yet, despite this well-honed mastery, Patek Philippe continues to strive forward and take these aural pieces of horological delight to new levels. The watch we have here, just announced, is the Reference 5750P Fortissimo, and it promises to enrich the traditional minute repeater with innovative technology that will let the chimes of time sing with unparalleled beauty and sonority. Even more fascinating, the clever acoustical solutions Patek Philippe has come up with negate the advantages (or disadvantages) of various case materials, once a surprisingly important factor in how bold–or muted–a minute repeater might sound to the human ear. That’s one reason that Patek Philippe has chosen to case this groundbreaking minute repeater watch in platinum–a material known to be particularly difficult from an acoustical standpoint.
What do I mean? Well, denser materials such as platinum tend to absorb more sound than 18K gold, which in turn doesn’t amplify as well as somewhat less noble materials such as steel or titanium, all factors being equal. Much like an Antonio Stradivari or Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu choosing the finest tone wood for the construction of a fine violin or cello, the materials chosen play a role in the ultimate effect of the completed instrument. Of course, additional gongs, larger gongs, or innovative case design can all play a role too, and Patek Philippe has gone all out to maximize all the factors in making the ultimate example of a chiming watch. Going back to our luthier example, for those who can appreciate the comparison, that might be the equivalent of the arching of the violin when the top and back are being created–those architectural choices, one way or the other, can impact the sonority of the completed, and strung-up violin, as well its ability to deliver a world class concert sound for years, even centuries, into the future.
At first glance, the base R27 movement appears familiar from other Patek Philippe minute repeating wristwatches such as the Ref. 5074 or 5078. But immediate differences from R27s seen in those watches are also readily observable, such as a new rotor in platinum, thinner than the previous 22K gold component yet equally efficient thanks to platinum’s greater density. Most obviously unique to this caliber, however, is the curious forked apparatus traveling from the case edge and gongs, through the jewel settings of the black-polished repeater hammers and terminating in a circular component. This part, a key aspect of the acoustical amplification of this movement is the highly sensitive sound lever, a direct conduit from the vibrating gongs to an nearly invisible sapphire crystal oscillating wafer with a razor thin thickness of just 0.2 millimeter. This sapphire component, part of the several patented elements in this Advanced Research caliber, is attached to–and works with the transmitting sound lever, and a special titanium ring with several cutouts hidden from view–to boost the sound transmission multiple fold over what a standard minute repeater might be capable. The slightly added height this arrangement gave to the R27PS caliber also helps explain the choice for the thinner platinum microrotor I mentioned earlier–every millimeter of added movement height counts in high horology, and Patek Philippe was not about to make the Advanced Research Fortissimo anything less than an elegant, relatively slender wristwatch.
How much additional sonority does the Fortissimo Module in the Ref. 5750 deliver? Well, Patek Philippe claims a six-fold increase: that is, the dulcet tones of this one can be heard clearly sixty meters away, compared to approximately ten from anything else they’ve produced. That seems impressive indeed, in fact, maybe even slightly more potent than optimal, given the blue-blooded discretion that you’d suspect a typical minute repeater client might normally crave. That said, have no fear–Thierry Stern and his team at Patek have made two other modifications which soothe the near-operatic vocal cords of the Ref. 5750 to a volume befitting the utmost in patrician sensibility. First, Patek Philippe opted for an unusual selection of platinum for the repeater hammers over the standard polished steel, for reasons that the weight and density of the former yield an ultimately softer peal when hitting the gongs. Secondly, and notably, the tempo of a time-strike sequence has been extended for a several second period compared to that of previous Patek Philippe minute repeaters, to allow for a bit more sonic expansion both between hammer strikes, and at the conclusion of the sequence. Of course, at no time will these many refined technical tricks be more enjoyable than at the magical minute repeater “Witching Hour” of 12:59, when the listener is greeted to the always reverential sequence of twelve individual low tones, three high-low combinations for the quarter hours, and an additional nineteen high tones for the remaining individual minutes of the hour.
Yes, the 5750 Advanced Research is a triumphal masterpiece, and represents the best of what Patek Philippe can offer. It’s easy to forget truly wondrous pieces like this amidst the never-ending chatter about the latest Nautilus variant, and the newest sanity-bending sales price for it at one auction venue or another. At 40mm in diameter, this platinum beauty–complete with the signature round brilliant set between the 6 o’clock case lugs as you’d expect–is a contemporary classic already fit to join the rarified company of other Patek minute repeaters produced in years prior. Yet, the Fortissimo has been given some unique details that give it a character unlike any of its siblings. Chalk that up to its saucy orange alligator strap and striking silvered dial with skeletonized lozenge motif; the same detail is echoed on the platinum microrotor’s decoration, and is intended to evoke the spokes of a classic roadster. The dial pattern sort of winks and hints at the engineering brilliance that’s embodied in this classic masterpiece, which is watchmaking artistry on the highest level, no matter how you slice it. The 5750P’s retail price is appropriately high at over half a million dollars, and honestly, watches like this are among the few that can actually justify such Olympian price tags. Only fifteen will be made, and I hope it is the truest of true blue Patek Philippe faithful who acquire these to enjoy and yes…wear. Not just for themselves mind you, but their very blessed descendants as well, just as the historic Genevan manufacturer would intend.
