Patek Philippe Introduces Split-Seconds Monopusher Chronograph Ref: 5373P-001

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With the launch of a new watch that is created for left-handed enthusiasts’ right-hand wrists, Patek Philippe is expanding the diverse range of its chronographs with massive complexities. The ref. 5372 Split-Seconds Monopusher Chronograph, arguably one of the manufacturer’s most exquisite clocks, was reinvented with this objective in mind. 

The latest Patek Philippe Split-Seconds Monopusher Chronograph ref. 5373P-001 boasts a platinum casing with contemporary styling that highlights the dial’s sporting and modern appeal. However, limited series of this innovative variant were made, making it particularly attractive to left-handed owners.

By establishing a brand-new scheme in 2005, Patek Philippe capitalized on its expertise in the area of short-time measures. The company created a line of Chrono movements, both having and without added features. They were all planned and manufactured in-house. The world’s smallest column-rotor controlled split-seconds Chrono movement, the mechanically winded caliber CHR 27-525 PS, provided the initiating indication. 

Photo: A Blog to Watch

With a similar basic movement and an incredibly thin calendar element, the caliber CHR 27-525 PS Q was introduced in 2010. It’s the tiniest perpetual calendar and split-seconds Chrono mechanism that the manufacturer has ever created. 

It is supplemented by a perpetual calendar element in the CHR 27-525 PS Q that utilizes a 12-month cam featuring a revolving satellite. The 48-month cam is used in all Patek Philippe perpetual calendars, including triple calendar numbers as a basic guideline, whereas alternative configurations use a 12-month cam plus a satellite mechanism. Although there is a third potential way to implement a calendar programming wheel—using one 12-month cam in combination with a different leap year cam—the advantage of Patek’s two methods would be that the leap year has been encoded, hence making room. 

With a tiny satellite wheel to control the leap month of February, the 12-month cam completes one full circle per year. Annually, the satellite rotates 90 degrees, taking 4 years to complete one full rotation. The overall height of the movement is only 7.3 mm.

Ultimately, the watch’s attraction stems from the delightful contrast between a contemporary and sporting face design. Besides, it is among the most exquisitely crafted conventional Chrono movements ever made.

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Since 2017, this extraordinary caliber has been produced in extremely tiny quantities in accordance with time-honored manufacturing customs. It operates in a platinum piece with either a rose golden dial with a vertically satin treatment (Ref. 5372P-010) or a blue sunburst dial (Ref. 5372P-001). 

Recently, the brand created a new edition of the reference. 5372 for left-handed customers. It was based on a unique timepiece produced by Patek Philippe in 1927, a customized cushion-like split-second Chrono movement. The unique Split-Seconds Monopusher Chronograph ref 5373P-001 thus integrates a perpetual calendar plus a split-seconds chronograph, symbolizing Patek Philippe’s great intricacies. 

Inverted Operating Components and Displays

The platinum casing’s thickness of 38.3 millimeters is similar to that of the ref. 5372. The split-seconds pusher is located in an odd location at eight o’clock, while the crown, which has a built-in Chrono monopusher, is located at nine o’clock. The refined cone bezel, which generates the ideal transformation to the mildly conical sapphire crystal back, the hollow and satin-polished case sides, as well as the subtly concave strap lugs, which nearly seamlessly blend with the bars all contribute to the watch’s ability to maintain its classic look.

The dial’s indicators are revolved by 180 °. Likewise, the 60-minute timer is rotated at nine o’clock, the extra seconds at 3, the moon phases at 6, and the analog date window at 12 o’clock. Moreover, the opening indications for each day of the week and month, the leap year rotation at 10:30, plus the day-night marker at 1:30 round out the screen. Patek Philippe, who gave it a vertically satin polish and a charcoal-tinted perspective, has also redesigned the visual attraction of this 18-karat golden dial. It is cleverly enlivened by auxiliary dials that are snailed in ebony black and a black gradient around the outside. Besides, the fitted Arabic numbers and white golden Dauphine hour and minute indexes serve as the basis for the time display. 

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The representation of the moon’s phase is really accurate. In 122 years, it detracts by only a single day within the lunar cycle. The 3 chronograph markers from the middle (the 60-minute timer hand at 9 o’clock, the split-seconds, and the chronograph hands) are lacquered red for clear clarity. The mono-pusher in the crown at nine o’clock is used to choose between the 3 Chrono functions of Start, Stop, and Reset. The rectangle button at 8 o’clock controls halting lap timings and the split-seconds (rattrapante) indicator.

The manually winding caliber CHR 27-525 PS Q movement is visible through a sapphire crystal display back, which can be switched out for the solid-platinum back that comes with the piece. The movement also features two-column rotors with two refined crowns in the traditional Patek Philippe form. 

The sides of the bridges, which include Geneva stripes, are precisely chamfered. The beauty of the form components and the arches in the traditional style are highlighted as well. Moreover, finishing their sharp interior curves by hand is only possible, which requires great precision and years of practice. On the other hand, the movement offers up to a 48-hour power reserve and beats at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour. 

Photo: A blog to watch

The black leather strap featuring an imprinted textile surface with contrasting red lines shares the sporting appearance and contemporary approach of the dial. It is fastened using a fold-over fastening made of platinum. In addition, this Patek Philippe Split-Seconds Monopusher Chronograph 5373P-001 boasts a brilliant carved diamond inside the caseband, similar to the rest of Patek Philippe’s platinum timepieces. This watch makes a special exception for left-handed users by having their hands positioned at 12 o’clock. 

At the moment, the ref. 5372P-001 and 5372P-010, both of which have been withdrawn from the series, are no longer available. Therefore, the Patek Philippe Split-Seconds Monopusher Chronograph is the only piece still boasting the caliber CHR 27-525 PS Q movement.