Patek Philippe’s Chiming Jump Hour Ref. 5275 features the jumping hour seen through the aperture at 12 o’clock, a jumping minute hand and a jumping small seconds hand at the sub-dial at 6 o’clock. All three indications (hour, minute and seconds) jump instantaneously and synchronously. There is even an automatic hour strike in passing every top of the hour. Priced at CHF310,000. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. October 2014, Geneva
Patek Philippe’s Chiming Jump Hour Ref. 5275 which is among the commemorative timepieces for the brand’s 175th anniversary in 2014 pays tribute to the Ref. 3969 Jump Hour launched in 1989 which is also a commemorative edition that marked the 150th anniversary.
A gentle word of advice is not to jump to the conclusion that the Ref. 5275 is just another jumping hour watch (pun most definitely intended).
Firstly, there is more to the Patek Philippe Chiming Jump Hour Ref. 5275 than just the jumping hour. The clue, as its name implies, is that there is a chiming function and it refers to the hammer striking the gong at the top of each hour.
For the Chiming Jump Hour Ref. 5275, the minute and seconds hand jump as well. All three jump displays (the hour, minute and seconds) are in synchronization; moreover they jump instantaneously within fractions of a second.
The dial on this Ref. 5275 tonneau-shaped case and its case band are decorated with hand-engraved floral motifs. At the case flank is an on-off slide. In the “off” position, the hammer is isolated and the automatic hour strike is disabled. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. October 2014, Geneva
This is possible thanks to the development of a new movement – the Calibre 32-650 HGS PS comprising 438 components which has four patents pending.
Now, rather than the typical jumping mechanisms utilising high-energy consuming jumper systems, this calibre relies on gears and the instantaneous displays are integrated into the base movement.
What is amazing about the Chiming Jump Hour Ref. 5275 is that it has 48 hours of power reserve on a single barrel after being fully wound considering the high level of energy required to power the jumping displays, especially with the arrival of every new hour.
On the rear is the engraved inscription: “Patek Philippe Geneve 175e Anniversaire 1839 – 2014”. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. October 2014, Geneva
At every top of the hour, in addition to powering the jumping minute and seconds hands, much more energy is required to move the hour disc (which is much heavier than the hour hand) and to have the small hammer strike the gong.
The dial and its flanks feature intricate floral motif engravings and the added human touches make this an even more delightful visual timepiece experience.