Patek Philippe Redesigns The Minute Repeater With A Platinum Watch

The minute repeater has a Mechanical Loudspeaker.

It looks like Patek Philippe has been working hard to redesign the minute repeater. The Advanced Research team at Patek Philippe has led the innovation of the brand since 2005. Recently, it started reworking on the basics of the watch to improve the tone and volume.

Eventually, the team created a module, which is more or less a mechanical loudspeaker. This resulted in a significant enhancement of the traditional gongs and hammer sounds. The team at Patek Philippe has developed a novel mechanical sound amplifying system that contains a “flexibly suspended sound lever and an oscillating wafer made of transparent sapphire crystal.”

Furthermore, the steel lever is also shaped like a tuning fork. Essentially, this works as a stylus, which transfers the sound, hence playing the role of a sounding board. On the other hand, the traditional minute repeater watch makes use of sapphire crystals and its case for transmission and resonation.

Based on the new approach that Patek Philippe has taken, the case material does not impact the sound quality. Now, the sound gets propagated through quad openings. The waves then exit via a slot between the case band and the back of the case. This slot is rather narrow. It’s a novel approach that has enhanced the capabilities of the watch significantly.

But the watch is not water-resistant anymore due to the new construction. However, it is certainly moisture and dust proof.

Patek has also stated that one can hear the repeater’s sound from a distance of six-folds. With that, this sound is different from traditional minute repeater sounds. Though, Patek Philippe is not the first company that has tried improving the striking watches sounds.

For instance, not too long ago, the Supersonnerie was developed by Audemars Piguet. Similarly, Chopard made the L.U.C Full Strike. On the other hand, Ulysse Nardin and Devialet collaborated to develop the Hourstiker Phantom.

The new minute repeater module features four different patents. Furthermore, this platinum edition watch is limited to 15 examples only, each priced at $639,500 USD. It would roughly be equivalent to $897000 AUD. That is, indeed, a big sum of money.