by GaryG
In this edition of Behind the Lens, we begin a very special three-part series looking at, and listening to, two of Patek Philippe’s splendid minute repeaters: References 5074P and 5078P.
The contestants: Patek Philippe References 5078 (at left) and 5074
A generous friend recently granted me the opportunity to shoot both of these watches, and we will be sharing them with you in a three-part series starting with Reference 5074P, moving to part 2 and the Reference 5078P, and concluding with a set of side-by-side photos and a “chime-off” allowing you to listen to both pieces and decide which one you’ll be asking Santa Claus (or Thierry Stern) for this year.
Patek Philippe Reference 5074P, with the brand-specific diamond denoting a platinum case and moon phase corrector visible between the lugs
If there’s any curiosity about which of the two I prefer, I’ll get that question out of the way right now: I consider the 5074P to be one of the finest contemporary wristwatches; it is a piece that awes me every time I handle one.
For me, the look of the 507x, perhaps most familiar from the Reference 5070 series of chronographs, is timeless. With its massive case structure, densely populated dial surrounded by a broad bezel, and applied gold numerals among its most recognizable design elements.
Imposing presence: high-contrast photo of the Patek Philippe Reference 5074P
Then, there’s the movement: the beautifully finished Caliber R 27 Q combining an automatically winding perpetual calendar with an extraordinary cathedral-chime minute repeater.
The sonorous chiming of those extra-long “cathedral” gongs is for me a sound unlike any other and, when combined with the other features of this watch, pretty much creates an unbeatable combination.
Caliber R 27 Q movement of the Patek Philippe Reference 5074P
All of that said, this is not an easy watch to photograph! Black-dialed timepieces are in general tough to capture, and the 5074P makes things more difficult with the contrasting light bouncing from its broad, shiny platinum bezel and absence of anti-reflective coating on the crystal.
In many lighting conditions and from many angles, the applied white gold numerals that are a hallmark of the watch tend to vanish into the background of the dial as seen by the camera.
And the background of the moon phase dial is blue, not black – but unless the light is just right, the muted blue tends to wash out into blackness.
Tough customer: straight-on view of the Reference 5074P in direct light
The white print on black dial has a tendency to “pop” in images more than in person, but driving the contrast of the image down to compensate can lead to an overall look that is too flat. Finally, there are the subtle circular grooves on the subdials: these are visible enough in oblique light, but quite elusive when viewed straight on or lighted directly.
Getting an angle: bringing the dial side of the Patek Philippe Reference 5074P to light
Happily, the movement side of the watch presents fewer challenges! The bright reflections from the bevels, polished sink, black-polished hammers, and the mesmerizing engraving on the rotor provide lots of visual interest, and the Geneva striping and circular graining are distinct enough to catch the light in a variety of positions.
Caliber R 27 Q, Patek Philippe Reference 5074P
Seen from lower down and closer in, Caliber R 27 Q does not disappoint: its variety of shapes, colors, and surface textures delight, and at macro magnification the quality of the finishing work is evident. I’m particularly drawn to the repeater’s hammers, which (as they should) have distinct, separate bevels between their black-polished horizontal surfaces and the brushed vertical sides, unlike the hammers on some other major-brand repeaters I’ve seen that have indistinct, rounded transitions.
Low-angle view of the Patek Philippe Caliber R 27 Q
In the tight shot below you can see the hammers and double-wrapped gongs and their attachment block, as well as the filigreed cover in the form of the Calatrava cross for the repeater’s regulator. A careful look reveals that the circular graining on the surface surrounding the cross is already serving its functional purpose of capturing stray droplets of oil thrown off by the regulator.
Movement detail, Patek Philippe Caliber R 27 Q
While I may never have the opportunity to own a Patek Philippe minute repeater, I do own the book! A couple of years ago, Patek Philippe published a lovely softcover illustrated history of all its repeaters from 1924 to 2012, and it was a pleasure to photograph both the Reference 5074 and Reference 5078 with their corresponding images and descriptions in the book.
Life imitates art imitating life: Patek Philippe Reference 5074P with its image in the Patek Philippe ‘Minute Repeaters’ book
Those of you with eagle eyes who were paying attention earlier may note that in the photo in the book, Patek Philippe has boosted the saturation and vibrancy of the blue moon phase disk quite a bit relative to the actual watch!
Patek Philippe Reference 5074P with its description in the ‘Minute Repeaters’ Book from Patek Philippe
By the book: Patek Philippe Reference 5074P and illustration of its Caliber R 27 Q movement
Parting thoughts
In the world of watch collecting, there are good watches, great watches, and a precious few super watches like the Reference 5074P. It’s been a real treat for me to spend time with this one, and we’re not done yet having fun with top-end chiming watches from Patek Philippe. Please stay tuned for our in-depth “Behind the Lens” segment on the elegant Reference 5078P, and of course for the all-important “chime-off”!
Caliber R 27 Q, with the Spiromax silicon hairspring visible at top right
Parting shot: dial detail, Patek Philippe Reference 5074P
Quick Facts Patek Philippe Ref. 5074P-001
Case: platinum, 42 mm, with interchangeable solid and sapphire crystal case backs
Dial: black with applied numerals in white gold
Movement: automatic Caliber R 27 Q, 467 components
Functions: hours, minutes; perpetual calendar with day, date, month, leap year; moon phase and 24-hour display; minute repeater with two cathedral gongs actuated by a slide in the case
Price: final retail price approx. $630,000; no recent auction sales of 5074P; recent auction prices for Reference 5074R (red gold) $475,000 to $550,000
Years of production: 2002-2015
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
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[…] Ian on the Patek Philippe Reference 5178G repeater with cathedral chimes. As I previously wrote in my review of Patek Philippe’s Reference 5074P, I’m an immense fan of the cathedral sound, and including it in a watch in which it stands alone […]
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[…] here about two truly splendid minute repeaters, both property of a good friend: the Patek Philippe Reference 5074P and Reference […]
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[…] the Lens” series focusing on these two watches. For more photos of the 5074P, please see Behind The Lens: Patek Philippe Reference 5074P Minute Repeater. We will finish off the series soon with a video “chime-off” between the two watches, but for […]
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Great stuff, Gary. Those shots really do justice to the watch too. Very much looking forward to the 5078, which I view to be absolute perfection.
Thanks, Ryan! Stay tuned for the 5078 — coming soon!
Brilliant pictures, and I very much enjoy your candor.
One thing I have always found intriguing on the MR selection of Patek, is the application process. Anecdotally, can you comment on friends or your own experiences with this? Is it really as onerous as one can imagine, with on-the-knees begging?
Thanks!
Many thanks, Colton — I’m always pleased to see your name pop up in the Replies section here!
The application process seems fairly rigorous based on my observation, but I haven’t yet seen anyone on bended knee! My friend has been a customer of one of the Patek Salons for a while now and also owned a number of Patek watches before that. When he and I were in the Salon right at the start of his relationship and he was inquiring as to the availability of a certain newly-introduced perpetual chronograph, the sales advisor politely asked him to write a list of the Patek References he owned, and that proved sufficient to gain family rapid access to an allocation.
As for the repeaters, there was a more substantial waiting period (on the order of a year in each instance, if memory serves) due to limited production, but I didn’t get the sense that there was much if any doubt that permission would be forthcoming.
Perhaps there’s a future article in all of this, although I certainly don’t want to tread on any toes by revealing things that are meant to be private!
Best, Gary
Excellent read, thank you.
Very pleased you enjoyed it, John!
Gary, what a wonderful writeup on this amazing watch. Your photography is beyond amazing. One thing I would love to see though is a video of the minute repeater in action, please…. Please, Gary… 😉 Cheers, Boris
It’s coming, Boris. There will be a “chime-off” coming between two Patek Philippe minute repeaters in a few weeks.
Hi Boris — glad you liked the photos — the “chime off” is online here now!
Best, Gary
Thank you. Top-shelf.
Appreciate the comment, Todd!