Patek Philippe's Ref. 5308, presented in a limited series at the Great Patek Philippe 'Watch Art' Exhibition in Tokyo in 2023, joins the Manufacture's current collection.
On the occasion of Watches and Wonders 2025 Patek Philippe unveiled Ref. 5308G-001, a timepiece with Quadruple Complication which had already been launched in a limited series in 2023, and which now joins the Maison's current collection.
Ref. 5308G-001 is powered by the IWC-manufactured R CHR 27 PS QI calibre (21,600 vibrations per hour, 38 to 48-hour power reserve), mechanical self-winding movement incorporating no less than four complications. This is the minute repeat on two classic gongs (activated by the slider on the left-hand side of the carrure), which offers that characteristic sonority of the Grand Complications by Patek Philippe. Added to this is the single-pusher chronograph with split-seconds function (activated by pusher 4), which represents one of the most sophisticated complications in watchmaking. Finally, the instant perpetual calendar with windows, which updates all indications simultaneously in just 30 milliseconds.
This combination represents an exceptional example of miniaturisation with a very complex movement architecture that includes, among other things, four concentric central hands. Despite the large number of components used, 799 in total, the movement retains a thickness of only 12.28 mm. Furthermore, this does not prevent the watch from meeting all the criteria of the Patek Philippe Seal, including those relating to the accuracy, made more stringent in 2024, and that is -1/+2 seconds per day.
Patek Philippe Ref. 5308G-001: two patents
For this micro-engineering masterpiece, the company introduced two innovations.
Ref. 5308G-001 also introduces two significant patented innovations. The first concerns the grafting system. In a horizontally-mounted chronograph, the connection between the seconds wheel and the chronograph wheel (which carries the central seconds hand) is made via the clutch wheel, which is driven by the clutch bascule. To avoid any 'flickering' of the seconds hand, the usual chronograph wheels are equipped with a friction spring which exerts a slight braking, energy-consuming action. Patek Philippe has replaced this clutch by replacing the usual clutch wheel with classic teeth with an innovative regenerative system.
The second patented innovation concerns the split-seconds mechanism, integrated under the chronograph module. In the usual 'à rattrapante' mechanisms, when the split-seconds hand is stopped to read an intermediate time, the split-seconds lever continues to run around the 'heart' of the chronograph and this friction consumes energy. In the new system developed by Patek Philippe, the isolating mechanism allows this lever to be lifted to disconnect the chronograph cabinet. This prevents the stop of the split-seconds hand from exerting any influence on the amplitude of the balance and, consequently, on the reliability of the movement and its power reserve, when the chronograph is triggered. These patents are in addition to the two already existing patents for the instant perpetual calendar.
Patek Philippe Quadruple Complication, ice-blue dial
The 42 mm 18-carat white gold case has openwork lugs.
The ice-blue soleil dial of Ref. 5308G-001 offers an elegant and sophisticated aesthetic, with applied, facetted and metallised blue bar indices and white gold Dauphine hands, also facetted and metallised blue. The arrangement of the indications is designed to ensure maximum readability. The characteristic semi-circular windows between 10 and 2 o'clock show the day, date and month, while the round ones complete the information with the day/night indicator (at 8 o'clock) and the leap year cycle (at 4 o'clock). The chronograph counters and the one at 6 o'clock for continuous seconds and moon phases harmoniously complete the composition.
The 42 mm white gold case has a concave bezel and characteristic openwork lugs, giving the timepiece a distinctive identity. The watch comes with two interchangeable backs, one in sapphire crystal and the other closed in white gold. The navy blue alligator strap is fitted with the new folding clasp patented three-blade system, which provides comfort and safety at the wrist.
The Ref. 5308G-001 thus represents the evolution of the limited series with Ref. 5308P-010 presented during the Great Watch Art Exhibition in Tokyo in 2023, and is part of a prestigious tradition of Patek Philippe's multi-complicated timepieces. With Ref. 5308G-001, Patek Philippe confirms its leading role in the field of Grande Complications, offering enthusiasts a timepiece destined to become a reference in the haute horlogerie panorama.
Price1,247,380 euros.
