Automatic, precious metals, and perfectly sized – Patek's women's collection

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Automatic, precious metals, and perfectly sized – Patek's new women's collection is kind of a big deal. Here's why
Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Automatic Watch

OCT 19, 2018 — BY CAROL BESLER https://www.ablogtowatch.com/patek-...UDvyHTqJFlNgxFDUEkSY5MFQgHl4P1xMly-Gmeg7BOj2E

Patek Philippe introduced its main ladies’ collection, the Twenty-4, 19 years ago in 1999. At the time, the mechanical revolution was just beginning to re-emerge after two decades of quartz dominance that killed most of Switzerland’s smaller mechanical watchmakers. Most ladies’ watches were still quartz, and the manchette bracelet-style watch design reigned supreme. Fast forward to 2018, and it is a very different watch world, in which the new Twenty-4 is the perfect modern ladies’ watch – which is to say it is practically nothing like the original. It has a mechanical automatic movement, it’s 10mm bigger than its predecessor, and it is round. The only thing about the new Twenty-4 that resembles the original is the bracelet, with the same link design except that it is tapered, which is more appropriate for a round ladies’ watch.

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The new Twenty-4 has the same rounded baton hands as the 4910, but they are bigger. And there is another big difference: the hands and numerals on the 7300 are lumed, another design feature more in line with sports watches. Combined with the double row of diamonds on the bezel and the option with a diamond bracelet, this makes for a watch that really straddles both worlds: dressy and sporty. And why not? That combination is what makes it a truly modern watch that can be worn anywhere. Social media comments have criticized the new Twenty-4 for being nothing like the original, but if it had been given Roman numerals, no lume, and a smaller case, the same people would be crying that it is too derivative and not new enough. Unless it was touted as retro, but it would be hard and rather pointless to do that with a ladies’ watch from the ’90s – it wasn’t exactly the golden age of watch design.

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The case size is also very contemporary. It is 36mm in diameter compared to the comparatively diminutive 25.1mm of the original. Thirty-six is the ideal size for a woman’s watch today, and even suitable for men’s wrists, and I can see men wearing the steel model with the blue sunburst dial. Despite the diamonds, that watch is just plain sporty. If the bezel was set with one row of larger diamonds, this wouldn’t be the case – it would be a true ladies-only watch. The double row is more subtle and less jewelry-like. The angular case design also makes it sportier. If it were more rounded, it would be a lot more feminine.

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There are five 7300 references, including stainless steel models with a blue sunburst or gray sunburst dial, and three 18k rose gold options with a brown sunburst or “silvery” dial with a criss-cross finish meant to resemble silk or linen. The bracelet of the rose gold version can be set with diamonds (for a total of 1.88 carats). The bezel on all models is set with a double row of diamonds totaling 0.77 carats. The decorated movement, including the 21k gold rotor, can be seen through a sapphire crystal caseback. It is Patek Seal approved. The steel models (Ref. 7300/1200A-001 and Ref. 7300/1200A-010) are priced at $26,083 and the rose gold models ( Ref. 7300/1200R-001 and Ref. 7300/1200R-010) at $45,361. The diamond bracelet version (Ref. 7300/1201R-001) is $56,702.

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7300/1200A - TWENTY~4
SELF-WINDING



Patek Philippe has launched a brand new self-winding mechanical ladies’ watch, designed to set the pace of life in style for the modern, active woman. A new embodiment of feminine elegance, the Twenty~4 Automatic is the first model in the collection to feature a round case. The steel version with diamond-set bezel is available with a blue sunburst or gray sunburst dial with black gradation. The beating heart of the timepiece is the caliber 324 S C self-winding movement, which is visible through the sapphire-crystal case back, displaying hours, minutes and sweep seconds, and the date in a small aperture at 6 o’clock.

Mechanical self-winding movement. Caliber 324 S C. Bezel set with 160 diamonds (~0.77 ct.). Blue sunburst dial. Gold applied numerals with luminescent coating. Steel bracelet. Fold-over clasp. Steel. Sapphire-crystal case back. Water resistant to 30 m. Diameter: 36 mm. Height: 10.05 mm.

Price: 26'080 USD*

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Patek Philippe, GenevaOctober 2018

The new Twenty~4 Automatic

A stylish companion for the life of modern, active women

Nearly 20 years after the debut of the Twenty~4® manchette watch that became a paragon oftimeless feminine elegance, the Genevan manufacture is fulfilling a wish expressed by manydiscerning style-conscious women. To them, it is dedicating the all-new Twenty~4 Automatic,the first model of the collection with a self-winding mechanical movement in a round case. Thishighly contemporary watch was created to accompany eclectic and vibrant lifestyles aroundthe clock, glistening with the fire of genuine diamonds. It is available in stainless steel or rosegold with dials of various colors.

Since the company was founded in 1839, Patek Philippe has devoted much attention to its feminineclientele. With its pocket and pendant watches, lavishly decorated with refined artisanal techniques, thebrand won the hearts of sophisticated female customers, among them Queen Victoria who hadpurchased a timepiece in blue enamel in 1851. The manufacture also leveraged its creative skills witha host of complicated ladies’ watches, including precious minute repeaters. In 1868, Patek Philippecrafted the first Swiss-made wristwatch for a Hungarian countess. The manufacture’s first strikeworkwristwatch in 1916 was a ladies’ timepiece with a five-minute repeater. A growing demand forwristwatches during the art deco epoch gave the brand an opportunity to demonstrate its affinity withfemale tastes by crafting countless models with different shapes and decorations.

In 1999, Patek Philippe responded to the expectations of a young, dynamic generation with the veryfeminine Twenty~4®that became resoundingly successful. Its unusual name reflects the fact that it wasa perfect companion for any time of day or night. The manchette watch was endowed with a quartzmovement (except the 2003 Haute Joaillerie model with a manually wound mechanical movement); itcame in various stainless steel versions and in gold as well. The manufacture also anticipated thegrowing interest among women in mechanical timepieces by developing various complicatedmechanical ladies’ watches such as the moon-phase model or the Ladies First Chronograph (2009).This selection was enriched with the Annual Calendar for ladies, the grand complications such as theLadies First Minute Repeater, Calatrava watches in jewelry and Haute Joaillerie versions as well as thefeminine interpretations of the manufacture’s casually elegant classics – the Nautilus Dames and theAquanaut Luce.

A new feminine watch with a self-winding mechanical movement

Patek Philippe is reinforcing its position in the growing segment of mechanical ladies’ watches and nowpresents a new self-winding wristwatch: the Twenty~4 Automatic. It is a timepiece for modern, selfconfidentwomen with taste who are decision-makers and pursue active lifestyles. With its sleekelegance, it is a watch for any time of day, complementing every facet of daily life (work, family, privateand social engagements, leisure). It perfectly matches the entire spectrum of a lady’s wardrobe – from outdoor outfits to evening gowns. The watch focuses on the woman who consummately handles latest generationtechnology but prefers a mechanical timepiece on her wrist, one that represents a grandtradition of quality and the lasting value of an artistically crafted masterpiece. The caliber 324 S C wasPatek Philippe’s choice as the heart of the new feminine model. This self-winding movement with aSpiromax® balance spring in Silinvar®is a gem of precision and dependability. It is crafted to the strictstandards of the Patek Philippe Seal and exhibits elaborate manual finissage (such as chamfered andpolished edges and Geneva striping) that can be admired through the sapphire-crystal case back.Launched in Milan during a major international event on October 10 and 11, 2018, the Twenty~4Automatic is supported by a dedicated advertising campaign with an extensive presence in digitalchannels.

A sleek but complex case

The new Twenty~4 Automatic adopts the aesthetic appeal of the rectangular Twenty~4 with anexclusive bracelet featuring gently cambered central links framed by delicate two-tier outside links.With a supple fit, inimitable and elegant, it gently hugs the wrist. The self-winding version stands outwith a totally new round case (36 mm in diameter) featuring prominent yet subtle contours. And asalways in Patek Philippe creations, puristic style melds with highly refined details. An example: thebeveled, diamond-set bezel is an elaborate construction that echoes the profile of the central braceletlinks at 12 and 6 o'clock, emphasizing the harmony of the overall design. This precious ensemble iscrafted in the manufacture’s ateliers and complies with all of the craftsmanship standards prescribed bythe Patek Philippe Seal. The case and bezel are cold-formed in high-tonnage presses and thencarefully machined to refine the contours. Afterwards, they are manually polished by experts with yearsof experience, an extremely demanding task given the complex forms especially in the bracelet lugzones. The dials exhibit assertive personalities. They are uncluttered and readily legible, with appliedArabic numerals in gold as well as baton hands with rounded ends and luminous coatings. The slightlydomed sapphire-crystal glass underscores the sculpted profile of the case.

Five convincing versions

The Twenty~4 Automatic is available in five versions: two in steel with diamond-set bezels, two in rosegold with diamond-set bezels, and one in rose gold with diamonds set in the bezel, the bracelet, andthe crown. The “Dentelle” (lacework style) gemsetting technique produces two-row configurations ofoffset precious stones that highlight their radiance. All diamonds – immaculately cut flawless TopWesselton grade – comply with the directives of the Patek Philippe Seal and are set to the mostexacting jewelers’ standards.

The version in stainless steel comes in two dial colors that endow each model with its very owncharacteristic style: sunburst blue (Ref. 7300/1200A-001) or sunburst gray, delicately gradated fromthe center (Ref. 7300/1200A-010). The rose-gold watches are also available in two color combinations:a sunburst chocolate brown and gradated dial (Ref. 7300/1200R-001) or a silvery gray dial graced withan exclusive double horizontal and vertical satin finish that is reminiscent of precious wild Shantung silk(Ref. 7300/1200R-010). The Ref. 7300/1201R-001 is for ladies who prefer a “dressier” watch. It islavishly adorned with 469 diamonds for a total of about 1.88 ct, including the crown, the lugs, and theouter links of the bracelet. The dial stands out with its silvery Shantung finish. All bracelets are fittedwith a new patented fold-over clasp (Patent EP3162241B1) that is dependably functional, verycomfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.

With its artisanally crafted self-winding mechanical movement and the decidedly feminine timelessdesign, the new Twenty~4 Automatic has everything it takes to accompany style-conscious and selfconfidentwomen day in and day out. Today and tomorrow.

Technical data

Twenty~4 Automatic Ref. 7300/1200A-001
Movement: Caliber 324 S C
Self-winding mechanical movement
Diameter: 27 mm
Height: 3.57 mm
Number of parts: 217
Number of jewels: 29
Power reserve: Min. 35 hours, max. 45 hours
Winding rotor: Central rotor in 21K gold, unidirectional winding
Frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 Hz)
Balance: Gyromax®
Balance spring: Spiromax®
(in Silinvar®)


Balance spring stud: Adjustable
Displays: Analog:
• Center hours, minutes, and sweep seconds
In an aperture:
• Date at 6 o'clock
Functions: Three-position crown:
• Pushed home: To wind the watch
• Pulled halfway out: Date correction
• Pulled all the way out: To set the time
Hallmark: Patek Philippe Seal
Features
Case: Stainless steel, bezel set with 160 flawless Top Wesselton brilliant-cut
diamonds (~0.77 ct)
Sapphire-crystal case back
Water-resistant crown
Water resistance: 30 m (3 bar)
Case dimensions: Diameter: 36 mm
Height (crystal to display back): 10.05 mm
Width between lugs: 12.15 mm
Dial: Sunburst blue
Applied Arabic numerals and hour markers in 18K white gold with
Superluminova® coating
Baton-style hour and minute hands in 18K white gold, diamondpolished,
with Superluminova® coating
Seconds hand in Pfinodal, rhodiumed and polished




 
It doesn't get more elegant, fashionable, or prestigious, than this. Top of the mountain, ladies. :wink: Thanks Mike.:hat:
 
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