The Full Rundown Of Patek Philippe’s Limited-Edition Watches Released At The Grand Exhibition Singapore
A new World Time Minute Repeater, Aquanaut, Calatrava Pilot, and World Time Chronograph lead the impressive lineup of timepieces that will only be available in Southeast Asia.
The Latest in a Spectacular Series of Grand Exhibits
Patek Philippe has held four previous Grand Exhibitions to great success in four of the world’s most sophisticated cities: Munich, Dubai, London, and New York. Each time, they’ve made limited edition watches to accompany the lavish exhibits in tribute to the local culture. For this edition, Patek has unveiled five outstanding watches that pay tribute to Singapore, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.
New watches exclusive to Singapore and Southeast Asia
Here’s a run-down of the latest and greatest special editions.
The World Time Minute Repeater 2019 Special Edition ref. 5531R-013
Only five pieces will be made of this watch, with a dial that features an exquisitely detailed, colorful cloisonne enamel map of Singapore. The watch is a version of the 5531 Grand Complication that was first introduced at New York’s Grand Exhibition in 2017 and became part of the brand’s ongoing collection in 2018. In this edition “Singapore” replaces the city time slot that’s usually indicated as Beijing, and the rose gold 24-hour disc subtly displays night and day with a brown tint over the nighttime hours. The sapphire crystal caseback is engraved with “PATEK PHILIPPE SINGAPORE 2019,” and it also comes with an interchangeable solid gold caseback.
The 5531-R-013 is a rare combination of a world timer and a minute repeater that only chimes the local time. The self-winding caliber R27 HU movement has a staggering 462 parts with a diameter of 32mm - 30mm for the basic time-only caliber, and 32mm for the world time module. It’s powered by a unidirectional mini rotor that’s visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, and has a full 48 hours of power reserve. It has a two-position crown - pulled out, the crown sets the time, and the movement can be hand-wound with the crown pushed in. A pusher above the crown sets the time zone. A slider on the left side of the case activates the minute repeater function.
The World Time Chronograph Singapore 2019 Special Edition Ref. 5930G-011
This self-winding white gold world time flyback chronograph certainly packs an outstanding horological punch. The caliber CH 28-520 HU “combines very rare complications that rank among Patek Philippe’s specialties: a self-winding flyback chronograph and a World Time mechanism that shows the time in all 24 time zones of our planet at a single glance,” according to the brand. As with the special edition world time minute repeater, the city of Beijing is replaced by Singapore on the time zone ring. It’s a column-wheel vertical clutch chronograph, allowing the seconds to run continuously.
The watch dial features a gorgeous gradient from bright red in the center darkening to black at the periphery. Red is a powerful color in the region, signifying success, vitality and good fortune. Patek uses the color to a great added effect - the guilloche radiates out from the center with increasingly deeper grooves. It’s a sight to behold. The striking combination of red and black is continued into the black alligator strap, with bold red hand stitching. Like the other limited edition pieces, the watch’s caseback is engraved with “PATEK PHILIPPE SINGAPORE 2019.” The production will be limited to 300 pieces.
The Aquanaut Singapore 2019 Special Edition Ref. 5167A-012
This stainless steel timepiece is an outstanding example of the sporty Aquanaut. The limited-edition also strongly features the color red on its strap, the seconds hand, and minute track. The dial is a gradient gray to black, with the date window at 3 o’clock. The composite strap’s texture echoes the dial’s guillochage to great effect. This is sure to be a highly sought after reference.
Mechanically, the self-winding caliber 324 S C movement provides a minimum of 35 hours of power reserve and is wound by a 21K unidirectional rotor that’s visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. The Aquanaut is water-resistant to 120 meters and will be produced in a series of 500 pieces, all of which are engraved with “PATEK PHILIPPE SINGAPORE 2019” on the caseback.
The Aquanaut Luce Singapore 2019 Special Edition Ref. 5067A-027
Let’s hear it for the ladies! The Aquanaut Luce embraces femininity with its bold raspberry red dial surrounded by 46 diamonds set into its bezel. White gold numerals enhance the sparkle of the bezel’s diamonds and the watch’s luminous hands are in keeping with the Aquanaut’s sporty DNA. The watch’s raspberry red composite strap perfectly matches the dial and has a foldover clasp for safety.
The watch is powered by the caliber E23-250 SC quartz movement and displays the hours, minutes, seconds, and date. The Luce model is limited to 300 pieces in this vibrant hue. It’s water-resistant to 120 meters, and features a sapphire crystal caseback engraved with “PATEK PHILIPPE SINGAPORE 2019.”
The Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Singapore 2019 Special Edition Ref. 7234A-0001
Philippe introduced its Calatrava Pilot series in 2015 to great fanfare. The watch has seen some impressive iterations since its introduction, and this 37.5mm model is no exception. The dial’s design is perfectly balanced with the date subdial at 6 o’clock, with local and home time indicators just above on the left and right.
The dual-time watch is powered by the self-winding caliber 324 S C FUS, with Patek Philippe’s patented safety interlock system that “protects the time-zone pushers against unintentional actuation,” according to the brand. The dial is a blue-gray dial color that Patek Philippe says “recalls Southeast Asian sea views.” A textured blue calfskin strap perfectly complements the dial and adds to the watch’s masculine feel. Four hundred pieces will be made, all engraved on the caseback with “PATEK PHILIPPE SINGAPORE 2019.”
Visiting the Exhibit
If you’re salivating over one (or more) of the limited edition pieces, or want to experience a rare glimpse into Patek Philippe’s world, there’s still time to visit the Grand Exhibition, which closes on October 13th. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance at Patek.com.
Opening hours
Sunday – Thursday: 10 am to 7 pm (last admission 6 pm) (except October 13: exhibition closes at 5 pm, last admission 4 pm)
Extended hours: 10 am to 10 pm (last admission 9 pm) Fridays on October 4 and 11, and Saturdays on October 5 and 12
Family days: Sundays on October 6 and 13 from 10 am to 5 pm
(Images provided by Patek Philippe)