The new 5370P is not accounted for as a
Grand Complication and that is interessting since the caliber CHR 29-535 PS is a split-seconds chronograph.
What makes the CHR 27-525 PS that is in the 5959 so much more "Grand" besides the small size?
Or better, what makes the CHR 29-535 PS less?
It is a marketting thing. A split seconds cannot be, if not accompanied by...
Two other complication, a Grande Complication.
Best,
Nicolas
According Patek
Caliber CHR 27-525 PS: the world’s thinnest rattrapante movement
One of the salient features of the new Patek Philippe split-seconds chronograph is the case, which is thinner than that of many ordinary three-hand watches. This is due to the exquisite CHR 27-525 PS movement with which the manufacture set a new global record in 2005 for the thinnest column-wheel chronograph caliber ever made. As usual at Patek Philippe, the caliber designation tells a story: CHronograph Rattrapante, 27 mm diameter, 5.25 mm height, seconds subdial (PS stands for petite seconde).
Every single CHR 27-525 PS movement is manually crafted in the manufacture’s haute horlogerie ateliers. Each one is composed of components that are individually filed, chamfered, polished, adjusted, and finished. When all the parts are ready, they are assembled in a so-called repassage en blanc procedure, after which all functions are tested. Subsequently, the entire movement is disassembled again. Once all parts have been meticulously cleaned, they are reassembled, lubricated, and fine-tuned. Thus, using ancestral production methods, Patek Philippe’s watchmakers create horological masterpieces that exceed the expectations of even the most discerning connoisseurs.
There is no uniform definition at all for a grand complications
It is, as Nicolas is saying, a marketing tool to call a watch a "grand complications".
To give you an answer to your question: the movement of the 5959 is much, much more complicate to produce than the latest chrono split second.
That Patek has not used it for any other watch is showing that it is a purpose built movement where the sole purpose was to be slim!
I have to look / read again in literature to tell you more about the differences in detail but what I can recall is that the movement is made from German, assembled twice and is the slimmest split second chrono to this day.
By the way: a slim, reliable and accurate running movement, regardless any other function is still the biggest challenge in traditional watchmaking.
The new split second movement has got a friction reducing isolator mechanism that the 5959's is lacking.
As I mentioned there are more details but I can not have not available at the moment to tell you.
Moritz
Thus it a complicated complication
But nevertheless an interesting movement.
Thanks for sharing your knowlegde about these calibers.
It seems Patek has changed its mind.
Indeed, and I would say it is well deserved
And I would say that Patek has quite a pragmatic approach in that field.
There are simple watches, complicated one (with a little more functions) and the grande complication which gathers the most complicated features and/or the addition of complicated ones.
At least it remains coherent and clearer that way, imho.
Cheers, Mark
The 5959's CHR 27-525 PS caliber was indeed the slimmest Split-scond Chronograph movement
But I would say that when being that slimm, the most important is then to manage to keep it accurate and reliable. What Patek's caliber has shown.
Can I correct something Moritz, it seems to me the 5959's movement is equipped with the isolator feature.
It is indeed a fantastic chronograph movement and it also very well fits with the 5950 and his thin cushion shaped case as it alows the 5951 (+ Perpetual Calendar) to remain elegant as it is slim.
Cheers, Mark
About the isolator
Hi Mark,
I need to find the article about the CHR 27-525 to give a definite answer.
Best
Moritz
There is an isolator
Thanks for the confirmation Moritz
Cheers, Mark