Patek Philippe Patents Every Watch Enthusiast Should Know
Being in the watchmaking industry for over a hundred years doesn’t really prove anything but longevity. However if you were Patek Philippe, you’ve probably been in the industry long enough to know that innovation and respecting the very tradition that fuels such passion for the art of watchmaking are what would make your brand known for years to come. This is the reason why the Swiss manufacture continues to lord it over as one of today’s most sought-after luxury watch brands.
When you own a Patek Philippe watch, chances are you’re wearing a true blue masterpiece. Every timepiece that comes from the brand is a product of the finest art of watchmaking that Geneva has been known for. Since its inception in 1839, the brand has never ceased to come up with luxury watches that incorporate not only the highest standards of craftsmanship but also reflect advancements in technology that continue to propel the industry to greater heights.
Such innovative spirit that never wavers is attributed to the brand being the last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in the industry today. As such, it enjoys total creative control when it comes to the design, production, and assembly of its timepieces. As a result, watch enthusiasts get to bask in the glory of what industry insiders dubbed as the finest timepieces in the world – and most innovative at that, boasting 80 patents to date.
Revolution Watches shares some of the brand’s most notable patents and how these enhanced every Patek Philippe watch that graced the wrists of true horological fanatics.
Such a device can be seen in the brand’s Travel Time timepiece, which was introduced in 1997.
Through this invention, the Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar watch, via Calibre 89, became the most complicated watch in horological history when it was unveiled during the 150th anniversary of the brand.
Truly, the inventions that the brand introduced paved the way for the watchmaking industry to become what it is today: more advanced when it comes to elevating the ordinary watch into a masterpiece that possesses both aesthetic and technical excellence. Exceptional timepieces such as the Patek Philippe Tourbillon, Patek Philippe Celestial, and Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon reflect how the brand continues to put to good use its time-tested tradition and innovation in the art of fine watchmaking to produce watches that do more than tell the time.
http://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/14/patek-philippe-unveils-26m-watch.html
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2017/important-watches-ge1701/lot.171.html
When you own a Patek Philippe watch, chances are you’re wearing a true blue masterpiece. Every timepiece that comes from the brand is a product of the finest art of watchmaking that Geneva has been known for. Since its inception in 1839, the brand has never ceased to come up with luxury watches that incorporate not only the highest standards of craftsmanship but also reflect advancements in technology that continue to propel the industry to greater heights.
Such innovative spirit that never wavers is attributed to the brand being the last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in the industry today. As such, it enjoys total creative control when it comes to the design, production, and assembly of its timepieces. As a result, watch enthusiasts get to bask in the glory of what industry insiders dubbed as the finest timepieces in the world – and most innovative at that, boasting 80 patents to date.
Revolution Watches shares some of the brand’s most notable patents and how these enhanced every Patek Philippe watch that graced the wrists of true horological fanatics.
1845: The Keyless Watch
The brand’s invention of a winding and setting stem and crown redefined the way watches were set and wound. This mechanism allowed pocket watches to do away with the separate key that was used for setting and winding. Prior to this invention, there wasn’t a single watchmaker that came up with such an idea for 250 years.1889: The Perpetual Calendar Mechanism
Particularly designed for pocket watches at the time, this mechanism allowed the instantaneous and simultaneous movement in days, dates, months, and lunar phases of the timepiece.1902: Double Chronograph
This invention elevated the ordinary chronograph into one that allows the wearer to observe time of differing lengths. With this mechanism, the hands of both chronographs can be stopped or moved via a series of pressing some buttons.1904: Extra-thin Calibre
The watchmaking industry has Patek Philippe to thank for, for making the creation of thin watches possible. By inventing an extra-thin calibre, it became possible for the winding mechanism to be arranged in a position where the centre wheel could be on same level as the winding wheel, which as a result, produces a movement of low height and allowed the going barrel and the motor spring to be constructed of normal height.1953: The First Self-winding Wristwatch
This invention utilises the energy from a rotary mass to allow a swinging movement to a portion of the mechanism. This was made possible by arranging the ensemble in a position where the inversion of the movement would allow the pawls to move in opposite directions while the ratchet wheel remains moving in the same direction.1959: A Time Zone Watch
A device incorporated into the watch allows travelers to adjust the timepiece to the local time zone while ensuring that the time in minutes remains intact. This was made possible by a wheel train that permits relative angular movements in twelfths of a circle between the hour hand and the hour wheel, all while the watch continues without interruption.Such a device can be seen in the brand’s Travel Time timepiece, which was introduced in 1997.
1979: The Fold-over Clasp
This invention showcased Patek Philippe’s aesthetic ingenuity. This is composed of two-bladed fold-over clasp that is used for leather straps.1986: The Perpetual Calendar
The brand invented an advanced version of a regular perpetual calendar, a secular perpetual calendar movement which featured a retrograde indication. This allows the timepiece to keep the full 400-year cycle of the Gregorian calendar.Through this invention, the Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar watch, via Calibre 89, became the most complicated watch in horological history when it was unveiled during the 150th anniversary of the brand.
Truly, the inventions that the brand introduced paved the way for the watchmaking industry to become what it is today: more advanced when it comes to elevating the ordinary watch into a masterpiece that possesses both aesthetic and technical excellence. Exceptional timepieces such as the Patek Philippe Tourbillon, Patek Philippe Celestial, and Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon reflect how the brand continues to put to good use its time-tested tradition and innovation in the art of fine watchmaking to produce watches that do more than tell the time.
Resource links:
https://www.revolution.watch/patek-philippe-caliber-89-passed-at-sothebys-spring-2017-auction/http://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/14/patek-philippe-unveils-26m-watch.html
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2017/important-watches-ge1701/lot.171.html
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