WORLDTEMPUS - 7 December 2010
Elizabeth Doerr
Never mind that this is the flattest split-seconds chronograph ever made, coming in at a height of 5.25 mm and a diameter of 27.3 mm. Never mind that it is a delicacy originating in the grandest tradition of the house of Patek Philippe. However, you should mind that this particular treasure was created especially to grace the wrists of women – women who understand and appreciate some of the finest mechanics in the world.
GO TO 2011 SELECTION
In fact, Patek Philippe seemed to declare 2011 the year of complicated watches for women. In addition to the Ladies First Split-Seconds Chronograph, a new Ladies First Minute Repeater was also introduced in addition to a 36 mm automatic world timer with micro rotor and 62 diamonds on the bezel (Ref. 7130); an ultra-thin, fully skeletonized manually wound movement in a 31.4 mm gold case on a gold bracelet (Ref. 7180); the first ladies Nautilus with automatic movement (Ref. 7008), and Reference 7041, a Gondolo in the same 30 x 33.8 mm rose gold case that the original Ladies First chronograph was introduced in November 2009.
Reference 7059 is housed in a delicious 33.2 mm rose gold case set with two rows of diamonds around the bezel (153 diamonds ~0.72 ct). And talking about lovely details, the sapphire crystal case back bezel is also set with 76 diamonds (~0.40 ct). Despite the complicated mechanics that include two column wheels to control the split-second function, the dial remains delightfully simply and elegant.
Hand-wound Caliber 27-525 PS, already in use in a men's split-second chronograph, is the engine that drives this jewel. Rarely are watches this complicated and rare created expressly for women. Thank you, Patek Philippe, for recognizing that there are female aficionados in the watch world as well.
