Patek Philippe 6301P Grande Sonnerie

Patek Philippe is introducing its first wristwatch to focus on a Grande Sonnerie complication – the Patek Philippe 6301P-001 Grande Sonnerie. It features a striking mechanism that automatically sounds the full hours and quarter hours. It also integrates a Petite Sonnerie, a minute repeater and patented jumping small seconds. Only four watchmakers at Patek Philippe have the necessary skills to create the new 6301P-001 Grande Sonnerie.

The case of the Patek Philippe 6301P Grande Sonnerie measures 44.8 mm in diameter and 12 mm in height. It uses 950 platinum and, as in all Patek Philippe platinum watches, is adorned with a small diamond located between the lugs at 12 o’clock. The case has a concave bezel and satin-finished sides. The complex movement can be viewed through a transparent caseback, but an interchangeable platinum back is also supplied. While the watch is protected against dust and moisture, it is not water-resistant.

The dial is 18-carat gold and features black Grand Feu enamel with a glossy finish. The time is indicated by two feuille hands in luminous white gold plus applied Breguet numerals.The small seconds are visible at 6 o’clock, and jumps from second to second using a patented mechanism similar to a quartz watch.

Two power reserve indicators complete the dial design at 3 and 9 o’clock. The former provides information on the power autonomy of the striking mechanism (24 hours), while the indicator at 9 o’clock refers to the reserve of the movement (72 hours).

Grande Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie, and Minutenrepetition

The Patek Philippe 6301P Grande Sonnerie is the first wristwatch to bring the Grande Sonnerie into focus. This elaborate and complicated function allows the hours to sound first, followed by the number of quarters every quarter of an hour. Patek Philippe has been making striking watches ever since the manufacture’s conception. Four months after the company was founded (September 1839), the manufacture presented the first timepiece with a repeater movement. After Patek Philippe introduced the Grandmaster Chime Reference 6300 in 2016, which integrates a Grande Sonnerie among 19 other complications, Patek is now presenting a watch that focuses on the striking movement complication.

The Patek Philippe 6301P Grande Sonnerie not only offers the eponymous Grande Complication, but also combines it with a Petite Sonnerie and a minute repeater. The Petite Sonnerie allows the hour to sound on the hour only, while the minute repeater can be activated by pressing the push-piece in the crown at 3 o’clock. It strikes the number of hours, quarters and minutes elapsed since the last quarter-hour.

With the slider at 6 o’clock, the wearer can choose between “Grande Sonnerie”, “Petite Sonnerie”, and “Silence” (mute). The striking mechanism uses three gongs – low, medium and high – to produce the corresponding tone sequence. Thanks to the energy stored in the double spring barrel of the striking-mechanism, up to 1,056 gongs can be struck within 24 hours.

The mechanics of the Patek Philippe 6301P

The new caliber GS 36-750 PS IRM drives the Patek Philippe 6301P Grande Sonnerie. The movement consists of 703 individual parts, but, at 7.5 mm, is extremely flat.
Two double barrels connected in series provide a power reserve of 72 hours for
the movement and 24 hours for the striking mechanism. Turning the crown
clockwise winds the movement, while turning it counterclockwise winds the
striking mechanism. In order to prevent overstretching, the four tension springs
use glide bars.

The movement is equipped with a Gyromax balance and a Spiromax hairspring in Silinvar. The three gongs with hammers can be viewed through the anti-reflective sapphire crystal back. The movement is lavishly decorated, and bears the in-house Patek Philippe seal, which certifies the high quality of the watch.

The Patek Philippe 6301P Grande Sonnerie is presented on a black alligator leather strap with a platinum folding clasp. The watch is part of the current collection
and production is limited to a small annual number of pieces. The price is
available upon request.

patek.com