The most exceptional part about this watch is its striking chimes, which are a result of Patek’s characteristic three-gong configuration. Most other chiming systems use two gongs. The third gong adds an extra dimension of technical complexity to an already challenging complication—all three gongs must be of identical size and mass to guarantee a uniform strike, and cannot touch each other, the case or movement to prevent possibly muddling the sound or damaging the movement. Plus, when you consider the amount of mechanical energy needed to operate a triple-gong grande sonnerie—which strikes 1,056 times in 24 hours—you get a sense of the technical mastery that went into creating this watch. (For reference, the caliber GS 36-750 PS IRM does have two barrels to store the energy needed for a full 72-hour power reserve.)  

The Ref 6301P also introduces two new patents associated with its chiming functions—a silence mode isolates the grand sonnerie from the power flow and eliminates its energy consumption, while a second allows the selection of the exact strikework mode—grande sonnerie, petite sonnerie, or minute repeater—using a single lever and slide switch. Previous mechanisms required two levers and switches.

(Related: Introducing The First Patek Philippe Watch In 2020: A Rare Calatrava In Stainless Steel)

Its final patent comes from the jumping seconds display visible at 6 o’clock, which Patek has never before paired with a grande sonnerie. The new jumping seconds uses a new wheel and lever system that unlocks the wheel train at the top of every second, making its energy consumption easier to regulate and control.

Of course, all these technical accomplishment would be for naught if the watch were also not beautifully cased and dressed. Its 44.8mm platinum case—a material that makes chiming watches even more acoustically complex to create—is beautifully crafted, with impeccably finished rounded contours and a concave bezel. The dial is made in black grand feu enamel with applied Breguet numerals and two power reserve indicators at 3 and 9 o’clock, identifying the sonnerie and movement power reserves respectively.

In essence, the Ref 6301P is a singularly unique chiming watch from the grandmaster of chiming watches. And for that reason alone, we can imagine that watch collectors the world over will be clamouring to get their hands on it.

(Related: Jewels & Time 2020: Perspectives de Chaumet and its Links to Architecture)