Rose Gold Meets Brown Enamel in Patek Philippe's New Split-Seconds Chronograph
Earlier this month at Watches & Wonders 2025, Patek Philippe unveiled a remarkable new edition of its Split-Seconds Chronograph, captivating horological enthusiasts and connoisseurs with a stunning combination of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge retro-elegance. For the first time, the Reference 5370, originally launched in 2015 in platinum with a blue enamel dial, marries a rose gold case with a dial in brown grand feu enamel and subsidiary dials and a tachymeter scale in beige champlevé enamel. The new Reference 5370R-001 replacess te platinum Reference 5370P-011 in the current collection.
Rattrapante chronographs, also known as split-seconds chronographs, represent the pinnacle of short-time measurement. These highly complex and precise timepieces take the functionality of a traditional chronograph to a new level by enabling the measurement of multiple intermediate times within a single minute. At the heart of this complication lies a clever mechanism featuring two central stopwatch hands: the chrono central hand and the rattrapante (split-seconds) central hand. These two hands are perfectly aligned and move together when the chronograph is activated using the pusher typically located at the 2 o’clock position.
The magic of the rattrapante function begins when the wearer presses an additional pusher—usually positioned at 10 o’clock or integrated into the crown, as is the case for the Reference 5370. This action stops the rattrapante hand independently, allowing the user to record an intermediate time (e.g., lap time in a race), while the main chronograph hand continues its motion undisturbed. A second press causes the rattrapante hand to catch up (“rattraper” in French, meaning "to catch up") with the chrono hand and continue moving in sync.
In addition to its refined two-tone aesthetics that is the result of a highly complex and specialized production process, the grand feu enamel dial stands out for its optimal legibility. The hours and minutes are clearly displayed thanks to rose gold leaf-type hands with beige luminescent coating and manually applied rose gold Breguet numerals. The same applies to short-time measurements, with its slender central chronograph and split-seconds hands, rose gold instantaneous 30-minute counter hand as well as the scales for both the tachymeter and the sub dials printed in brown on the beige enamel background.
With its classic architecture featuring a column wheel and horizontal clutch, the CHR 29-535 PS movement makes the hearts of connoisseurs beat faster. Beating at 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour and comprising of 312 finely finished parts, the hand-wound caliber offers a power reserve of 65 hours. Six patented chronograph innovations, plus one patent for the split-seconds mechanism, testify to its technical prowess. Some of them can be admired through the sapphire case back that displays the mechanism and its stunning finishing quality.
The elegance of the polished rose gold case that measures 42mm wide and 13.53mm thick is enhanced by a concave bezel and recessed, satin-brushed flanks. The shiny chestnut brown alligator leather strap is fitted with a new, patented triple-blade fold-over clasp in rose gold, guaranteeing optimal security and comfort.
Pricing is marked at $288,700.
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