Patek Philippe Unveils Its First 1/10th-of-a-Second Chronograph
Just after the doors of Watches & Wonders have closed, Patek Philippe creates a stir with yet another sophisticated timepiece that offers a multitude of innovative features in the ref. 5470P-001— the brand's first wrist chronograph which is able to measure and display the tenths-of-a-second. Aptly christened 1/10th Second Monopusher Chronograph, the debutante has its entrance in a 950 platinum case with a diameter of 41mm and boasts a new high-frequency movement that comes with no fewer than 31 patents, of which seven are exclusive to this watch. Furthermore, the manually wound CH 29-535 PS 1/10 features two separate chronograph mechanisms and sweep hands. As the name tells us, this advanced chronograph model has a single pusher at 2 o'clock that successively executes the start, stop, and reset operations.
Based on caliber CH 29-535 PS, which was launched in 2009, the new movement features a traditional chronograph architecture with a column-wheel control and horizontal wheel clutch. However, in order to measure the tenths of a second, the frequency has been increased to 5Hz respectively 36,000 vph.
In order to display the chronograph functions as clearly as possible, the manufacture's engineers came up with a rather unusual design comprising of two independent chronograph mechanisms: one for the seconds and the instantaneous 30-minute counter, the other one exclusively for measuring the tenths of a second. For best legibility, the stop seconds and tenths of a second are displayed concentrically. Each of the two sweep chronograph hands is driven by an independent mechanism. The rhodium-steel hand indicates the elapsed seconds. The red hand which is crafted from silicon-based Silinvar and performs one revolution per 12 seconds sweeps across the outer 12 sectors subdivided into tenths.
With its mechanical functioning, the wearer can immediately read the elapsed seconds guided by the pearl markers while on the outer railway track scale the elapsed tenths of a second are displayed. The chronograph minutes are indicated by the instantaneous 30-minute counter on the subsidiary dial at 3 o'clock.
It goes without saying that Patek Philippe, a master in miniaturization, opted to build the caliber CH 29-535 PS 1/10 as compactly as possible. Despite the two chronograph mechanisms and a total of 396 parts it has the same diameter like its base caliber (29.6mm) and only a slight height increase (from 5.35mm to 6.96mm).
Quite surprising is the fact that Patek Philippe decided to employ its Oscillomax ensemble for the first time in a timepiece that is part of the current collection since the launch of the perpetual calendar “Patek Philippe Advanced Research Ref. 5550P“ in 2011. Developed by the “Patek Philippe Advanced Research” department to improve the overall efficiency, reliability, and rate accuracy, this high-tech regulator mechanism was first presented in 2011 and features three innovative components that benefit from the innovative Silinvar technology with its extraordinary properties, such as lightweight and anti-magnetism. The ensemble operates with a Spiromax balance spring, a Pulsomax escapement consisting of a lever and escape wheel with a reworked design as well as a Gyromax balance with gold inlays.
In addition to this state-of-the-art regulator mechanism, there are several more innovative and new features relating to the fluidity of the display, power reserve, and shock-absorbing.
The Patek Philippe 1/10th Second Monopusher Chronograph features a sporty blue dial on which the two chronograph hands are superposed and look like a single hand when not engaged and is complemented by a blue calfskin strap with an embossed fabric pattern and red stitching. The sapphire crystal caseback can be changed into a solid platinum back, which is included.
Availability and price have not yet been disclosed to the public.
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