Mike H[AHCI Moderator]
10998
A great luck to see the 2018 Basel novelties of Patek Philippe in Paris (part I)
Few days ago I seized the opportunity of the 2018 Basel
novelties of Patek Philippe being in Paris for seeing them in the metal. Let’s
have a look at them together…
You will not be surprised if I start with the long awaited
Nautilus Perpetual calendar 5740/1G. The Gerald Genta-designed Nautilus is in very high
demand since years and Patek Philippe is logically surfing on the wave. Instead
of increasing the number of pieces supplied to the market they upscale the
franchise by adding a high end version with a white gold case and bracelet for
being consistent with the high end complication.
Thanks to the caliber 240Q, the case is incredibly
thin with a 8.42 mm height making of this Nautilus the thinest perpetual
calendar from the entire range of the Swiss manufacturer. The power reserve is
min. 38 hours just like the more classical 5327. The blue dial is similar to
last year’s model celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Nautilus.
Since
we started with the the sport elegant Nautilus, let’s continue with the other
model of the line made for active life users with aquatic capacities, the
Aquanaut. Patek Philippe is here surprising us with this unexpected Aquanaut
Chronograph 5968A. It is the first time that this complication is used in this line
and it actually seems obvious that it had to be added in the line when you
think of it. The result is a sporty flyback chronograph embarking the in-house
CH 28-50 automatic caliber with column wheel and vertical clutch. Needless to
say it proudly carries the Patek Philippe seal. The dial design is very
consistent with the Aquanaut line but combines the well known grey square
pattern with interesting lively touches of orange on both the seconds hand, the
sub-counter hand and the seconds track on the periphery of the dial. This color
combination obviously addresses a younger target of customers with a trendier
style.
But
not only men have been well taken care of : the « Misty Blue »
new version of the Aquanaut Luce 5067A comes to us this year with a new blue-grey
dial. A beautiful chick yet sporty look for this model equipped with the Quartz
Manufacture caliber E23-250 SC. To be honnest I personnally have difficulties
to accept the idea of having Patek Philippe still having quartz movements in
some of their models for ladies. But I must admit that there is a market for
working ladies who are willing not to « waste their time » for
winding their watch and willing to have it ready to go immediately with no
adjustment… to tell you the truth my wife is among these ladies to my great
despair ! With its 46 diamonds bezel for a total of approx. 1.00 ct
this Aquanaut Luce will certainly attract many ladies…
Let’s remain with ladies and discover now another jewel with
the chronograph 7150/250R. This one is in another league : it is a superb
chronograph intended for modern active women with a fondness for exquisite
timepieces. It is powered by the manually wound movement CH 29-535 PS and the
bezel is set with not less than 72 diamonds (approx. 0.78 ct). That one would
definitely fits my wife’s wrist perfectly…
Stay tuned for part II
Mike
