The biggest surprise before the end of 2020 was that Patek Philippe held its first online press conference to release its first Grand Sonnerie watch, the Ref.6301P. This complex watch with grand and small sonneries and minute repeaters is basically an extension of the Ref.5171 with 20 complex functions launched in 2014, and it is also the brand’s first pure timekeeping function. The Ref.5175 Master Chronograph is a masterpiece launched by Patek Philippe in 2014 to celebrate its 175th anniversary. The watch adopts a double-sided design and integrates 20 complex functions, including grand and small sonneries, minute repeaters, instant perpetual calendar, and a four-digit year display; there are also two patented technologies published globally for the first time: the time setting by striking the spring, and the current date by striking the spring. This was Patek Philippe’s first watch equipped with a grand sonnerie function at the time, and it was also its most complex watch. In 2016, it began to launch the regular Ref.6300 for sale.
However, the diameter of this Ref.6301P is 44.8mm, but the thickness is only 12mm, which is a rare thin design for grand sonnerie watches on the market. This time, it uses a platinum case, a black grand feu enamel dial, and platinum willow-shaped hands (with luminous function rarely seen in sonnerie watches) and three-dimensional Breguet Arabic numerals. The small three-hand is matched with the power reserve dial configuration. The overall style is simple and modern. The operable parts include the crown and the coaxial minute repeater button, as well as the function selection slider configured between the lugs at 6 o’clock on the case (patented three-stage function can be selected: small sonnerie on the left, grand sonnerie in the middle, and mute on the right). Patek Philippe said that the 6301P will not be sold in limited quantities, but due to the high difficulty of production, the annual output is still quite rare.
This watch can be seen in the “bright and smooth” surface of the black grand feu enamel, Breguet-style three-dimensional numerals and platinum leaf-shaped luminous hands. The Breguet-style numerals are slightly tilted, giving the watch a classic and contemporary feel without losing its lively atmosphere. The hours, minutes and small three-hand display at 6 o’clock are evenly proportioned, and the power reserve indicators of the movement and the striking timekeeping device are set at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock next to them. They are semicircular and engraved with MOUVEMENT and SONNERIE for identification.
The watch is equipped with the GS 36-750 PS IRM hand-wound movement, which consists of 703 parts. In addition to the large and small self-sounding and minute repeater functions, it also has a jumping second function (the star wheel and lever of the jumping second device are made of silicon). The vibration frequency is a special 25,200vph. The 4 barrels drive the travel and timekeeping wheel trains respectively, and the crown is wound in different directions. Because the travel and timekeeping wheel trains adopt a patented separate design, they can effectively reduce energy consumption. The power reserve can reach 72 hours in silent mode, and the power reserve is 24 hours if the large self-sounding mode is turned on. Through the transparent caseback, you can admire the three hammers and gongs of the striking function, as well as the centrifugal governor.
The unique design allows the movement to provide a 72-hour power reserve, while storing 24 hours of power for the striking mechanism. The 3-day movement power reserve is the power reserve expected for a modern timepiece to be worn daily, implementing Patek Philippe’s customer-oriented watchmaking philosophy. The 24-hour striking mechanism power reserve is sufficient to support the watch’s hour and quarter-hour strikes throughout the day; thanks to the uniform torque feature, the strength of the striking sound is perfect. Pushing the crown in and turning it winds the two sets of double springs, turning it clockwise to drive the gear set, and turning it counterclockwise to wind the striking mechanism. All four springs have sliding ropes to prevent the springs from being over-tightened.
As for the striking mechanism, Patek Philippe chose the classic three-tone gong method – high, medium and low tone strikes. This technical mode requires more power than the double gong system. The three-gong system also makes it more difficult for watchmakers to adjust the gongs, so as to achieve the “Patek Philippe sound” that connoisseurs crave. The three gongs are attached to the movement and coiled in such a small space that they cannot touch each other, the case or any parts of the movement. The three hammers are of the same size and weight to ensure that the three tones are struck with the same force. The case is made of platinum, which is another challenge to make a good sound.
Patek Philippe watchmakers transformed the 300 movement in the Master Chronograph into a new movement and added a small jumping seconds display, which has never been seen on a Grande Sonnerie watch. The jumping seconds system is inspired by the Ref.5275 Chiming Jumping Hour. Its mechanism does not rely on jumping springs as in the past, but is controlled by a gear set and a release lever. The lever releases the gear set instantly every second to adjust and control power consumption.
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