This year (2024), Patek Philippe unveiled new watches at the "Watches and Wonders" Geneva Watch Exhibition, along with the announcement of the latest Patek Philippe Seal for timekeeping and water resistance standards. This year's new watches, as well as the existing Patek Philippe models, have all adopted the latest standards.
Among them, the Patek Philippe timekeeping standard has been raised to a daily deviation of -1/+2 seconds, surpassing Rolex's -2/+2 seconds. Patek Philippe has become the most accurate timepiece in the world of luxury watches, rightfully claiming the title of the king of watches.
Patek Philippe, new 5330 World Time model for 2024
After 9 years of Rolex's "monopoly," Patek Philippe has broken through this year.
Since 2015, Rolex has elevated its Superlative Chronometer standard to a daily deviation of -2/+2 seconds (red tag changed to green tag). From 2015 to 2024, over the 9 years, Rolex has consistently held the top position in the world of luxury watches in terms of timekeeping standards.
During this period, the timekeeping standards publicly disclosed by other watch brands have had a slight difference in accuracy compared to Rolex. For example, Omega's Master Chronometer standard has a daily deviation of 0/+5 seconds; Patek Philippe's previous Patek Philippe Seal standard had a daily deviation of -3/+2 seconds (note, this is the old standard). It can be seen that Rolex's Superlative Chronometer has a daily deviation range of 4 seconds, while Omega and Patek Philippe are at 5 seconds. However, this year, Patek Philippe Seal, with the latest standard of -1/+2, has further narrowed the deviation range to 3 seconds, finally surpassing Rolex.
Patek Philippe, new 5236 Perpetual Calendar with salmon dial for 2024
Patek Philippe surpassing Rolex, I would call it a "miracle".
The new timekeeping standard of Patek Philippe Seal is described in detail as follows: All Patek Philippe watches using Spiromax free-sprung balance with Gyromax balance wheel, Silinvar silicon hairspring, as well as watches using traditional end-curved metal balance spring, have a daily deviation of -1/+2 seconds.
Now, Patek Philippe's men's watches have all been equipped with Spiromax free-sprung balance, Gyromax balance wheel, Silinvar silicon hairspring. So, any Patek Philippe watch you buy from the current collection is equipped with this, ensuring a daily deviation of -1/+2 seconds.
Patek Philippe, new 5160 Retrograde Perpetual Calendar for 2024
Patek Philippe's achievement in surpassing Rolex is remarkable because Rolex has always been known for precision and durability. Rolex's movements, whether the 3135 or 3235 calibers, lack complex functions, have a movement thickness of 6mm, which is simple and thick, advantageous for timekeeping. On the other hand, Patek Philippe's 330 caliber has a thickness of only 3.3mm; 240 caliber has a thickness of 2.53mm, much thinner than Rolex. Despite being thin, don't forget, Patek Philippe's grand complications, such as minute repeaters, perpetual calendars, tourbillons, rattrapante, all adhere to the -1/+2 standard, which is truly remarkable. I dare say, besides Patek Philippe, can any other grand complication watch, from brands like Vacheron Constantin, A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, etc., come forward and claim that all their grand complications can achieve a publicly stated accuracy of -1/+2 seconds?
Only Patek Philippe, with its thin and highly complicated watches, can openly surpass Rolex while maintaining the -1/+2 standard. Isn't that miraculous?
Patek Philippe, new 5396 Diamond Engraved model for 2024
PS. It is worth noting that Omega's "Spirate system with silicon hairspring fine adjustment" can achieve a daily deviation of 0/+2 seconds, but the Spirate system has not been widely adopted yet, with only one watch publicly disclosed, hence not discussed here.
Patek Philippe's latest water resistance standard means exactly what it states.
Patek Philippe has made a significant change this time by ensuring that the water resistance is now stated as the "true water resistance depth," meaning if it says a certain number of meters, it truly means that depth.
For example, a water resistance of 30 meters means it can withstand water pressure at 30 meters depth. If it says 30 meters, it can indeed be submerged at that depth. Yes, even a dress watch can go down to 30 meters if it's rated as such.
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In the past, the water resistance depth indicated by various watch brands was somewhat ambiguous. 30 meters/50 meters basically meant not water-resistant; 100 meters/120 meters would provide basic water resistance; and 200 meters/300 meters would allow for swimming. But now, Patek Philippe has changed all that to be straightforward and truthful. So, you can see that Patek Philippe has revised the water resistance of models like the Nautilus 5811, 5980, from 120 meters to 30 meters, and this 30 meters is genuine.
Additionally, for complex watches like the 6300, Patek Philippe now directly states "Without Water Resistant," which is very straightforward. If you visit the Patek Philippe official website, you will see these changes reflected.
Patek Philippe, new 5980 model for 2024
Among mainstream watch brands (excluding independent watchmakers), setting personal aesthetics aside, Patek Philippe has almost perfected the "mass-produced watch." With no shortcomings in terms of complex functions, finishing decoration, and timekeeping accuracy. Patek Philippe is indeed expensive now, more than ever before, but there are valid reasons for its high price, every penny spent is justified, and the king of watches remains the king. (Image/Text from Xbiao Watch, Yan Danping)
PS. Lastly, some may say, "My certain watch, even my Tissot, can also have a daily deviation of 1 second." Your Tissot having a daily deviation of 1 second is fine, but it's an exception. One Tissot can have a daily deviation of 1 second, ten, a hundred can all have a deviation of 1 second, but it cannot guarantee that ten thousand, a hundred thousand, or a million will all have a daily deviation of 1 second.
This is where the Patek Philippe Seal, Rolex Superlative Chronometer, Omega Master Chronometer come into play. They aim to ensure that each and every watch, whether one or a million, maintains a daily deviation within a fixed range. This is why brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, etc., dare to set standards, openly declare them, and demonstrate their capabilities.
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