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Lot Essay
A rare find at auction, the reference 5550 in platinum is part of the Patek Philippe Advanced Research series of watches. Introduced at Baselworld 2011 in a limited series of only 300 examples, the timepiece participates in the tradition of Patek Philippe to offer avant-garde components in order to enhance timekeeping accuracy and reliability of mechanical watches.
The present example is preserved in exceptional overall condition and, according to research, only the sixth example of this rare model ever to come up at international auction.
Ref. 5550P Advance Research
Differing from the first three references of the Advance Research series, the reference 5550 is set apart through its perpetual calendar complication (the first three PPARS watches have an annual calendar) and is fitted with the ultra-thin automatic caliber 240. With a highly attractive dial of silver color with pink gold indexes and luminous dots and hands, the timepiece is bestowed with a very elegant platinum case.
More than a perpetual calendar, the wristwatch uses the patented Oscillomax ensemble, which includes the Gyromax-Si balance in Silinvar and 24K gold, the Spiromax balance in Silinvar as well as a refined Pulsomax escapement. A notable result of the accrued efficiency brought by the new Oscillomax ensemble, the power reserve of the watch was increased by nearly 50%, from 48 hours to 70 hours and the movement accuracy was greatly increased.
Launched in 2005, reference 5250 was the first timepiece developed under the “Patek Philippe Advanced Research Program” and fitted with the innovative escape wheel in Silinvar. In 2006, reference 5350 followed and introduced the Spiromax balance spring made of Silinvar. Reference 5450 was later produced in 2008 and featured a Spiromax balance spring as well as a Pulsomax escapement in Silinvar. The timepieces were launched in editions of 100 to 300 examples and were instantly sold out.
The most advanced model of the series, the reference 5550 in platinum, features all the innovations found in previous references of the program and in addition is the first to feature the Oscillomax oscillator.
Patek Philippe filed a total of 17 patent applications for the Oscillomax subsystem, the various elements of the ensemble bringing the following improvements:
-- The Gyromax-Si: This innovative balance improves the accuracy and the power reserve of the movement.
-- The Spiromax: The Spiromax balance spring in Silinvar improves isochronism.
-- The Pulsomax escapement: The new Pulsomax escapement presented in 2011 is a refined version of its 2008 predecessor. This further improved escapement increases the efficiency of the movement and improves its long-term reliability.
The present example is preserved in exceptional overall condition and, according to research, only the sixth example of this rare model ever to come up at international auction.
Ref. 5550P Advance Research
Differing from the first three references of the Advance Research series, the reference 5550 is set apart through its perpetual calendar complication (the first three PPARS watches have an annual calendar) and is fitted with the ultra-thin automatic caliber 240. With a highly attractive dial of silver color with pink gold indexes and luminous dots and hands, the timepiece is bestowed with a very elegant platinum case.
More than a perpetual calendar, the wristwatch uses the patented Oscillomax ensemble, which includes the Gyromax-Si balance in Silinvar and 24K gold, the Spiromax balance in Silinvar as well as a refined Pulsomax escapement. A notable result of the accrued efficiency brought by the new Oscillomax ensemble, the power reserve of the watch was increased by nearly 50%, from 48 hours to 70 hours and the movement accuracy was greatly increased.
Launched in 2005, reference 5250 was the first timepiece developed under the “Patek Philippe Advanced Research Program” and fitted with the innovative escape wheel in Silinvar. In 2006, reference 5350 followed and introduced the Spiromax balance spring made of Silinvar. Reference 5450 was later produced in 2008 and featured a Spiromax balance spring as well as a Pulsomax escapement in Silinvar. The timepieces were launched in editions of 100 to 300 examples and were instantly sold out.
The most advanced model of the series, the reference 5550 in platinum, features all the innovations found in previous references of the program and in addition is the first to feature the Oscillomax oscillator.
Patek Philippe filed a total of 17 patent applications for the Oscillomax subsystem, the various elements of the ensemble bringing the following improvements:
-- The Gyromax-Si: This innovative balance improves the accuracy and the power reserve of the movement.
-- The Spiromax: The Spiromax balance spring in Silinvar improves isochronism.
-- The Pulsomax escapement: The new Pulsomax escapement presented in 2011 is a refined version of its 2008 predecessor. This further improved escapement increases the efficiency of the movement and improves its long-term reliability.