Fortissimo “ff” is a musical symbol of “strong”. Now it is also the code name of the acoustic research project of the “Advanced Research” series of Patek Philippe on minute repeaters. A few days ago, Patek Philippe launched the “Advanced Research” series Minute Repeater watch ref. 5750P-001, which includes four patented design devices. The timekeeping sound can even be transmitted to 60 meters away. It is the first concrete result of this acoustic research project. However, it is like an advanced concept car built by a top car manufacturer. It is not a full-scale mass-produced work. Only 15 pieces can be launched in a very small number and provided to the top collectors.
From the design to the mechanical structure, ref. 5750P-001 fully meets the concept of “advanced”. From the design point of view, its style breaks away from the classic image of any minute repeater that the brand has launched in the past, becoming more individual and dynamic. Its mechanical connotation has a more positive evolution. Although the R 27 movement is a three-question movement that came out in 1989, the newly developed mechanical amplifier module has made the sound of the three-question timepiece more powerful than ever before. President Thierry Stern said that the ref. 5750P only reached 50% of his ideal perfect three-question watch. Although we have not been able to see the perfect picture so far, the ref. 5750P released this time seems to have seen some outlines.
Functional upgrade with classic appearance
The three-question timepiece is a very special and complex function. The mechanical timepiece system uses hammers to strike the gongs, and the sound produced resonates in the case and then is transmitted. The mechanical structure is quite complex and needs to be carefully adjusted, and the final result depends on human perception. For a long time, Patek Philippe has continued to study the sound field of the three-question watch and has created many three-question watch works that amaze collectors. Although the traditional striking spring minute repeater has the possibility of mechanical mechanism, and has been developed to almost perfection by Patek Philippe, the brand has not stopped. Through this “Advanced Research” project, it will further break through the existing technical framework of the minute repeater.
President Thierry Stern said that improving the sound performance of the minute repeater can be divided into volume, timbre, melody… different levels to explore, and this “Advanced Research” Fortissimo “ff” project must first start with the most basic “volume”. Traditionally, the volume of the minute repeater depends on the force of the hammer hitting the gong and the resonance of the sound in the case, but due to the size of the watch movement and the space inside the case, more active means are needed to break through the limit of the volume of the time. Previously, brands including Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet and Bulgari have also improved the sound of the timekeeping mechanism from the aspects of structure and material. Patek Philippe’s improvement plan also starts from these aspects, but the method is more delicate, that is, based on the existing R27 movement, the volume of the minute repeater is amplified, while retaining the classic beauty and appropriate size of the minute repeater, which is more in line with the brand style.
Starting from the principle of acoustics
In the design of the minute repeater watch, the volume of the time is determined by the force and resonance of the striking gong. Since Patek Philippe continues to use the existing R27 movement, the only way to increase the volume is to adjust the resonance without changing the force. In the design of traditional minute repeaters, factors that affect resonance include the space inside the case and the material of the case. In order to break through the limitations of space and material, the brand’s specific approach is to set up an additional mechanical amplification module between the R27 movement and the back cover to amplify the original timekeeping music. Through the transparent bottom cover of the ref. 5750P, we can see a device similar to a tuning fork across the top of the R27 movement, which is actually part of this amplification module. In the briefing of the press conference, Patek Philippe showed us the full picture of this module.
Key design: sound amplification module
The sound amplification module developed by Patek Philippe includes a set of sound levers made of stainless steel fixed above the base of the gong, and a sapphire crystal vibration wafer connected by the other end of the lever. The sound lever and the sapphire crystal are connected by an attachment of only 0.08 mm. Philip Barat, technical development manager of Patek Philippe, explained that the function of the sound amplification module is mainly to amplify the sound emitted by the gong, and the sound lever is used as a conductor. When the hammer hits the gong, the sound lever connected to the base of the gong at one end will directly transmit the vibration of the gong to the other end of the lever, causing the connected sapphire vibration wafer to vibrate, compressing the air vertically up and down to form a stronger sound wave. This is the same principle as the phonograph invented by Edison in 1877, which amplifies the fine grooves of the metal plate into sound through metal needles and speakers.
Philip Barat further explained that the core component of the sound amplification module is the sapphire vibration wafer. In order to achieve the maximum vibration efficiency, on the one hand, it must be firmly connected to the sound lever to transmit the vibration of the gong. At the same time, the vibration wafer must have a completely free movement space to fully vibrate, and the distance between the wafer and the back cover must be maintained at 0.2 mm to obtain the most ideal air compression rate.
Sound transmission
With a highly efficient sound amplification module, the timekeeping sound is fully amplified, so that the ref. 5750P no longer needs to rely on the case and the back cover to resonate and sound like a traditional minute repeater, so adjustments have also been made in sound transmission. In terms of design, a layer of high-tech composite material is first used to isolate the movement from the case, and a titanium alloy inner ring is set on the inside of the back cover. The openings at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock positions of the inner ring are used to transmit the timekeeping sound, and a nylon dust filter is configured to prevent dust from entering the movement. The sound transmission path is changed to the hammer hitting the gong, which transmits the sound wave to the vibration wafer amplification through the sound lever, and then transmits it through the opening of the titanium alloy inner ring. Because the case and the back cover do not need to participate in the resonance process, no matter what metal material is used, it will not affect the sound volume of the time. Therefore, ref. 5750P can use platinum, a high-density precious metal that is rarely used in minute repeaters because it is not easy to resonate.
The additional amplification module, coupled with the change in the sound transmission method, has increased the sound volume of ref. 5750P by 12 decibels. This increase can expand the transmission range of the minute repeater sound from the original 10 meters to 60 meters. In the interview, Barat described the situation of the actual test in the parking lot of Patek Philippe headquarters at that time, and even further extended it to 70 to 80 meters, and the time sound could still be heard. Most importantly, ref. 5750P has such a significant improvement in function, but still retains the appropriate size of the classic minute repeater. Compared with the previous ref. 5178, the case diameter remains at 40 mm, and only the thickness has increased by 0.57 mm. This shows the brand’s excellent design capabilities.
Upgrade of the movement
In addition to the new amplifier module, the R27 movement equipped in the ref. 5750P has also been optimized. First, the hammer is changed to platinum, which can produce a softer and rounder sound quality when striking the steel gong. Secondly, the micro-rotor is also changed from the original 22K gold material to platinum, so that the same winding efficiency can be achieved with a thinner design. In this way, the classic structure of the R27 movement can be retained while achieving substantial functional improvements.
In addition to the revolutionary improvement of the minute repeater function, another focus of the ref. 5750P is the design that breaks away from the classic appearance of the brand, which greatly impacts our existing elegant impression of Patek Philippe watches. This time, in the design of the classic minute repeater, the brand boldly tried to use the mesh wheel frame of the antique car in the 1960s as the inspiration. The hollow wheel decoration of the dial is set off by the black snail spiral engraving in the background. The dynamic and distinctive style really brings a refreshing impression. This is the most surprising design since the president’s wife Sandrine Stern took charge of the design department. The concept of “advanced research” is quite interesting.
Patek Philippe’s ref. 5750P has undoubtedly opened another stage of “advanced research”. It has specially chosen the minute repeater function, which is the most technically difficult in advanced watchmaking and the most proud of the brand for a long time, as the research object. It is very obvious that it intends to consolidate its king status again. Although Barat said in the interview that there is no plan to further use the technology of this amplification module, the relevant research results are believed to be positive for the brand’s future development of the minute repeater function, and we are more looking forward to seeing the day when the perfect minute repeater in the mind of president Thierry Stern becomes a reality.
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