Patek Philippe's Classic Timepiece Gets an Update For 2017
A long time ago in the late 19th century, it was virtually impossible to tell women’s watches apart from jewellery. They were impractically tiny, slender like dainty bracelets and, more often than not, adorned with so many precious stones that the time became incidental. Exceptional high jewellery timepieces are still popular among women today, but there is a handful of female watch lovers who are lusting over something far more complex – complications.
Patek Philippe knows that mechanical watches are no longer just a man’s thing. In recent years, the family-run Genevan manufacture has unveiled a small but highly impressive edit of grand complications. These range from a striking minute repeater to a split-seconds chronograph movement touted as the slimmest of its kind in the market – all for women.
One of the most outstanding from that range was the Ref 7140R, which made its debut in 2012 as the brand’s first ladies perpetual calendar timepiece. It was powered by the in-house 240 Q calibre which measured only 3.88mm high (that calibre turned 40 this year, by the way); had a small 35mm rose-gold case that fit slender wrists to a T; and, decorated with 68 diamonds on the bezel, was discreetly luxurious.
This month, Patek Philippe revisits that stunning masterpiece and gives it a new look. The calibre, the size and the perpetual calendar functions of the watch remain the same, but the case, which previously came only in rose gold, now comes in white gold, too. The best part: the new Ref 7140G is accompanied with a second shiny alligator strap imbued with a captivating turquoise-green hue.
This article first appeared in the June/July 2017 issue of L'Officiel Singapore (out now on Magzter and newsstands). Click here to subscribe.