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The combination of a chronograph with a perpetual calendar is a sort of love story at Patek Philippe. We could even set it as the motto of the brand, together with the minute repeaters – and probably the Nautilus, the Calatrava and the world-timer too (there’s a lot of icons at Patek). This combination of a QP and chrono is a long lineage that began with the reference 1518, the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph, introduced in the middle of the 1940s. Since then, it has been part of the DNA of Patek and finally, it came to a pinnacle with the 5004, followed by the 5204, by adding the rattrapante function. So yes, the Patek Philippe 5204R is demonstrative, on paper… Itself, the watch remains rather restrained.
At the time of its introduction, the dial also brought its dosage of updates, with the arrival of a new QP module, the same as used in the 5270. Instead of displaying the leap year and the day-and-night indicator into the chronograph sub-dials at 3 and 9, Patek wanted to improve legibility in keeping these counters as clean as possible and only focused on the chronograph functions. Thus, the leap year moved in a small window at 4h30 and the the day-and-night indicator in another window at 7h30 (changing from white to blue, depending on the moment of the day). If some applauded the gain in legibility, other collectors regretted the traditional layout. The rest of the dial remains classical for a chronograph with QP by Patek: day and month in windows at 12, date and moon-phase at 6. Another change that appeared in the new generation of chronographs by PP is the off-centered position of the sub-counters, slightly under the mid-axis of the dial – an anti-copy subterfuge…
This is the result of the adoption by all the chronographs of the new base movement, designed and produced entirely in-house, the CH 29-535 – the same base can be found in the 5170, the 5270 or the 5370. In the Patek Philippe 5204R, this base movement receives a split-seconds function and a perpetual calendar module. This movement that we already explained in details in the other 3 references is simply a feast for the eyes. It is deep, complex, extremely finished and technically impressive.
This calibre CHR 29-535 PS Q is a mix of a classical architecture (manual winding, column wheel, split-seconds) with modern technologies (wheels with patented tooth profiles, self-adjusting hammers or a modern 4hz frequency). It also brings innovations directly linked to the rattrapante, like a newly designed isolator that uncouples the split-seconds wheel from the chronograph wheel (to eliminate unwanted friction and prevent a degradation of balance amplitude) and a split-seconds lever that positions a ruby roller between two flat heart cam shoulders and keeps the chronograph and split-seconds hands precisely aligned. All parts are, of course, heavily finished and the movement bears the Patek Philippe Seal, guarantee of its exquisite execution and perfect running.
Brand: Patek Philippe
Model: Perpetual Calendar Chrono
Reference: 5204R-001
Material: 18k RG
Dial Color: Silver
Dimensions: 40mm
Watch Movement: Self-Winding
Bracelet/Strap: Original Brown Patek Philippe Strap
Box/Paper: Original Box and Certificate
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