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The younger Stern describes the relationship the relationship between Patek Philippe and minute repeaters as one that is as deep and enduring as their commitment to enamelling recalling his grandfather and father attentively listening to chiming watches to ensure only the utmost precision in the timbre and rhythm of the chime.

Safeguarding the Manufacture’s technological leadership and innovative competence is his son, Thierry Stern, current President of Patek Philippe. Patek Philippe Calibre Engineer Jean Pierre Musy, Who Led The Calibre 89 Development For Patek Philippe's 150th Anniversary. This unique project proved to be a challenge even for the experienced Musy and his team, and was a task they would be devoted to for several years. The new movement had to surpass and eclipse the two legendary masterpieces of that time: the Leroy 01 piece that dated back to the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris as well as the Henry Graves piece delivered in 1933. For the Manufacture’s 150th anniversary, Philippe Stern asked a team, led by Jean-Pierre Musy, to prepare the comeback of repeater timepieces. Until then, the watchmakers were using virgin movements from the Vallée de Joux (called “ébauches”) that were then assembled, finished, precision-adjusted and decorated in the Manufacture. In the years leading up to 1989, Philippe Stern, who was at the helm of Patek Philippe, built a taskforce with a unique mission: to develop the first in-house manufactured minute repeater movement. Preparing the Rebirth and Renewal of the Chime However, the manufacture was forced to halt the production of minute repeaters and sonneries for close to three decades, as the demand for the complications began to decline in the 1960s. The Mid-Century Decline of Chiming Watchesįor the next six decades, Patek Philippe continued to produce chiming complications for pocket watches and wristwatches. Combining expertise in component miniaturisation and complicated movements, this breakthrough meant it was possible for Patek Philippe to make wristwatches with minute repeater complications at a time when pocket watches remained the norm.Ĭollectors’ Guides: The Patek Philippe Grand Complications In 1896, Patek Philippe produced minute repeater movements of 9- and 10-lignes, which were used in ladies’ pendant watches. Image credit: Patek Philippeįor the next century, Patek Philippe continued to produce minute repeaters, first as pocket watches, then later as wristwatches. Patek Philippe Advertisement highlighting accolades from Paris Universal Exhibition 1889. Even the repeating mechanism was further developed, from two hammers on two gongs, to three hammers on three gongs, to the Westminster chime, which required five each, of both the grand and small chimes. In the subsequent years, variations of the minute repeaters endowed with other complications, such as chronographs, perpetual calendars, and equations of time, were built. The following year, the first pocket watch with a Grande and a Petite Sonnerie was sold. This sale proved to be the initial spark of a keen interest in striking mechanisms: in 1842, a quarter repeater with independent seconds in 1845, a half-quarter repeater, their first minute repeater, and a quarter repeater with a tactile hand. When Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek started their business in 1893, one of the earliest pieces sold was a pocket watch with a quarter repeater.

Minute repeaters have been associated with Patek Philippe since the beginning. Let’s recall the steps that built this legend.Ī painting from 1845 featuring the Patek Philippe Geneva boutique at Quai Des Bergues No.

Patek Philippe boasts the largest collection of chiming watches in its regular production and is the unquestioned leader in this category, combining rich acoustics, superior micromechanics, patented innovations and the finest finishes.

Since its early days in 1839, Patek Philippe has nurtured a rich history with striking watches.Ĭonsidered the master of chimes today, the company has built its reputation thanks to an enduring family passion and commitment to preserve this striking tradition. In anticipation of the Patek Philippe New Models 2022 that will be presented at Watches and Wonders, let’s take some time to revisit one of the Manufacture’s most revered complications – the minute repeater.