Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2012 Reference No: 5550P-001 Movement No: 5'627'593 Case No: 4'747'989 Model Name: Advanced Research Material: Platinum Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240 Q, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Patek Philippe deployant clasp Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated May 22, 2012, product literature, wallet, Advanced Research winding presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
With a manufacturer that strives to only offer the best timepieces in the market, innovation is often the key element that drives the momentum. In 2005, Patek Philippe introduced the Advanced Research department to develop new innovations to improve precision and reliability of a mechanical wristwatch through the experimentation of new materials and micromechanics.
In the same year of the introduction of Advanced Research, Patek Philippe released its very Advance Research first timepiece: reference 5250 Annual Calendar, which was fitted with a newly innovated Silinvar escape wheel that was developed by CSEM (a micro-engineering laboratory based in Neuchâtel) and funded by Patek Philippe, Rolex and the Swatch Group. Subsequently, three more references were released, each with a newly developed escapement component, refs. 5350, 5450 and 5550.
The last Advanced Research timepiece from the series, the ref. 5550 was released at the 2011 Baselworld. After the hairspring, escapement wheel and anchor introduced in the previous three Advanced Research models, the present reference completed the ensemble with a silicon balance wheel. Rendered in silicon, the components do not require any oiling. While the previous three references are all annual calendar wristwatches, the “triple 5” is a step up with a perpetual calendar complication. Released as a limited edition of 300 pieces, it is certainly a rare, technically impressive and highly collectible piece.
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.
Ref. 5550P-001 A very rare and attractive limited edition platinum perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, leap year indication, Silinvar escape wheel, Spiromax balance spring, certificate of origin and presentation box, one among a series of 300 pieces
2012 37mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and clasp signed