Patek Philippe
Advanced research
The manufacturer has brought groundbreaking innovations to one of its most important areas of competitiveness-timekeeping watches
Patek Philippe’s “Advanced Research” engineers have expanded the horizons of their timekeeping watches by developing a new all-mechanical sound amplification system. The Fortissimo “ff” module consists of a flexible hanging sound bar and a swinging wafer made of transparent sapphire crystal glass. Compared with the traditional minute repeater, regardless of the material of the case, it can provide clear and amplified sound with excellent sound quality. With four patents, this pioneering technology is reported in Ref. 5750 “Advanced Research” Minute Repeater, a special limited edition, consisting of 15 platinum cases and a unique dial design.
Turn off the volume advertising system
Since the establishment of the company, the spirit of innovation has always existed in Patek Philippe’s DNA. Adhering to this uninterrupted tradition, manufacturers have spared no effort to further break the limits of watchmaking craftsmanship and walk in the forefront of technological development. But Patek Philippe believes that only in the long run, innovation can provide users with real added value in terms of quality, precision and reliability, and it is meaningful.
Patek Philippe’s “Advanced Research” department was established in 2005 and was integrated into the R&D department at the same time. It is tasked with conducting high-end research in the fields of new materials, technologies and conceptual foundations, aiming to open up new areas. Viewpoints in the field of watchmaking.
In order to achieve these goals, manufacturers have established unique capabilities, convened the best experts, and provided them with the latest technical resources, including the instruments required for computer simulation. Patek Philippe’s “Advanced Research” engineers also collaborate with independent external research institutions, such as the Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) in Neuchâtel, Switzerland or the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). quality replicas watches
Since 2005, Patek Philippe’s “Advanced Research” has stood out with pioneering work in the field of Silinvar® innovation. Silinvar® is a silicon derivative with extraordinary characteristics suitable for watchmaking applications (temperature compensation, lightweight, lubrication-free, Antimagnetic etc.). At the same time, the manufacturer introduced the first Silinvar® escape wheel (2005), followed by Spiromax® hairspring (2006), Pulsomax® escapement (2008), Oscillomax® overall (2011), and further optimized Version Spiromax® hairspring (2017). Each leap of these technologies is accompanied by the launch of a limited edition watch, which is the first watch equipped with innovative components. at the same time,
In 2017, in a completely different field of research, Patek Philippe “Advanced Research” developed a flexible mechanism (system with flexible joints) made of traditional watch steel for setting in Patek Philippe watches with two time zones The second time zone. This technological innovation was introduced in a limited edition watch, which also used an optimized Spiromax® balance spring for the first time.
Sound amplification system with sapphire crystal oscillator chip.
Today, Patek Philippe’s “Advanced Research” department can demonstrate an important technological milestone in an area related to manufacturing capabilities: a timekeeping watch, or more precisely, a minute repeater. For these large-scale complex functions, Patek Philippe offers the largest portfolio of regular production models.
Starting from fake Patek Philippe‘s famous self-winding movement R 27, which ushered in the grand comeback of the minute repeater in 1989, the engineers and designers of Patek Philippe’s “Advanced Research” looked for a way to amplify the volume of the minute repeater. Timekeeping is purely mechanical, while maintaining excellent sound quality and the smallest possible size. After technical attempts in multiple directions, they decided to keep the design of the basic movement, and then add a module similar to a mechanical speaker on the bridge side (the side facing the wrist). But unlike ordinary speakers, the sound amplification does not rely on a flexible diaphragm attached along its periphery like a drum head. Instead of the membrane, Patek Philippe has registered three patents for the system, which has an oscillatory wafer made of synthetic sapphire with a thickness of 0.2 mm. Due to its angular movement, this rigid and freely movable chip provides significantly better sound transmission for the limited volume of the watch. The transparency of the sapphire glass can also be observed at a glance through the case back. In order to realize this highly miniaturized system, developers must deal with numerous challenges in design and production. The transparency of the sapphire glass can also be observed at a glance through the case back. In order to realize this highly miniaturized system, developers must deal with numerous challenges in design and production. The transparency of the sapphire glass can also be observed at a glance through the case back. In order to realize this highly miniaturized system, developers must deal with numerous challenges in design and production.
Flexible hanging sound bar
In order to realize the sound transmission from the gong of the minute repeater to the sapphire glass swinging chip, engineers developed a system in which a steel tone rod is installed in the middle of the swinging chip. The other end of this tuning fork-like tuning rod has a flexible attachment with a thickness of 0.08 mm. When the hammer strikes the gong, their vibration is transmitted to the tone rod, which amplifies them in the first stage and transfers them to the rigid oscillator chip, where they are further amplified. The angular movement of the oscillating wafer excites the air layer above and below the sapphire glass, producing a significantly louder sound.
A new way of sound transmission
While integrating the fortissimo “ff” amplifier module, the team also developed a new sound propagation system. In the classic minute repeater, the hammer strikes the gong, causing the entire watch to swing. The sound spreads in all directions through the case, back and crystal glass. Therefore, the case material has a significant impact on sound. Rose gold is considered to be the most suitable precious metal for sound transmission, while platinum has a higher density and poses the biggest challenge to acoustics. In the minute repeater with the fortissimo module, an insulating edge made of high-tech composite material acoustically separates the amplifier from the movement. The sound is transmitted to the tone rod first, then to the oscillating wafer, and then through the four openings in the titanium ring at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. Sound waves are transmitted through the slit between the case back and the strap. The dust filter protects the movement without affecting the sound. Therefore, the shell material will not affect the sound and its propagation. Whether the case material is rose gold, gold, platinum or platinum, the quality is always the same. patek replica
Significantly louder and perfectly harmonious sound
The fortissimo module attached to the back of the watch allows sound to be heard at six times the distance. Therefore, the classic minute repeater on the wrist, at a distance of 10 m and at a distance of 60 m, sounds as loud and clear as the enlarged minute repeater. The manufacturer also used its extensive experience in the field of timekeeping watches to create refreshing reverberations; this requires considerable dexterity and sharp hearing. Although the sound amplified by the fortissimo module is slightly different from other minute repeaters, it provides the harmonic quality and acoustic richness that supports the unique reputation of Patek Philippe’s minute repeater, and passes relative to “attack” (hardness). In addition, the maximum duration of time strikes (32 strikes, 12 strikes:
Platinum components
In addition to additional fortissimo modules, Caliber R 27 PS also benefits from further technical improvements in materials and design factors. The minute repeater hammer originally made of steel was replaced with a platinum hammer. This is a patented solution. In this special case, the percussion quality can be improved according to the instructions of the Patek Philippe seal without reducing the loudness. Under the circumstances, a softer knocking sound is produced. The platinum micro-rotor replaces the eccentrically recessed 22K gold micro-rotor; due to the greater material density, it provides the same winding power with a thinner design. With it, the thickness of the fortissimo module can be at least partially offset.
Limited edition of 15 watches
In order to demonstrate the unique sound amplification and transmission system, Patek Philippe launched a limited special edition watch, just like the previous case of the “Advanced Research” innovation. referee. The 5750P Patek Philippe “Advanced Research” Minute Repeater has a smooth case and a slightly dome-shaped bezel. It is inspired by Ref. 5178 Minute Repeater and Cathedral Gong, which is also 40 mm in diameter. However, the height is 11.1 mm and the thickness has increased by 0.57 mm. In order to demonstrate the efficiency of the fortissimo system, the manufacturer chose the material that poses the most acoustic challenges-950 platinum.
At its center, a five-part carefully constructed dial has a hollow pattern inspired by the spoke wheels of vintage cars. It stands out with a snail-shaped spiral line against a black background. The small seconds dial at 6 o’clock is composed of a rotating disc with the same hollow pattern on a black snail pattern background and a small marker used as a pointer-this is a movable element that creates a unique dynamic Effect. The time is indicated by flat white gold Dauphine hands and black white gold kite-shaped hour markers.
The sapphire crystal back cover shows the hammer and classic gong of the minute repeater, as well as the tuning fork-shaped tone rod, which carries the transparent oscillator chip of the fortissimo amplifier system. A perforated Calatrava cross decorates the cover of the centrifugal governor, ensuring the regularity of time. The spectacular appearance also shows the Silinvar® Gyromax® balance spring launched by Patek Philippe’s “Advanced Research” in 2006, as well as a large splint with Geneva stripes and carefully chamfered and polished edges. The platinum miniature rotor has a ray pattern in the dial style; it is created using laser-based light-absorbing surface texture technology, which allows certain parts to appear black.
Patek Philippe “Advanced Research”, with its unique fortissimo “ff” system for sound amplification and dissemination, demonstrated an innovation that will attract all fans of minute repeaters and technology debuts. It opened up a whole new horizon for the timekeeping fake luxury watches.