To mark its 175th anniversary in 2014, Patek Philippe released the Grandmaster Chime 5175, one of the company’s most complicated wristwatches ever made. The watch boasts two dials and a total of 20 complications, the result of eight years of development. It has a 47.4 millimeter wide and 16.1 millimeter thick case, made of 18k rose gold and consisting of 214 parts. The case is suspended between lavishly decorated lugs, and it is reversible, allowing it to be worn with either dial facing up.
The movement of the Grandmaster Chime is made up of 1,366 components, including three gongs and three hammers. It has a unique frequency of 3.5 Hz (25,200 bph) and a power reserve of up to seven days when fully wound. The watch is powered by a manual winding movement and features a transparent case back, allowing the wearer to view the intricate inner workings of the watch.
In addition to its numerous complications, the Grandmaster Chime also has a swiveling case, similar to some of Patek Philippe’s highly complicated pocket watches. The case can be rotated on its longitudinal axis, allowing the wearer to switch between the two dials without having to change the straps. The 
primary dial displays the hours and minutes, as well as a number of indications with retrograde hands and small circular apertures. These include the alarm setting, displayed on a large subdial at the 12 o’clock position, with a bell-shaped aperture indicating whether the function is armed or turned off. There is also a large subdial at the 6 o’clock position displaying the phase of the moon and date indications. The power reserve for the movement is displayed at the 9 o’clock position, and the sonnerie settings are displayed at the 3 o’clock position.
On two smaller displays surrounding the date’s subdial, the settings for the chiming mechanisms can be tracked: to the left is the display for the Silent, Grande, or Petite settings of the sonnerie, while to the right, the crown’s 
momentary functionality can be seen: “R” stands for winding, “A” for setting the alarm, and “H” for setting the time. There are also two tiny apertures at around the two and three o’clock positions for the day-night indicator of a second time zone and the “chiming mechanism isolator display,” which indicates when it is safe to wind the movement without damaging the intricate chiming mechanism.
The secondary dial of the Grandmaster Chime features the time in a second time zone, as well as the date and a perpetual calendar. The watch also has a moon phase indication and a 24-hour indication.
One of the standout features of the Grandmaster Chime is its chime complication, which allows the watch to sound the hours, quarters, and minutes. The watch has three chime modes: grande sonnerie, petite sonnerie, and minute repeater. It also has a silent mode, which can be activated by pressing a button on the case. The chime is activated by pressing a button on the side of the case and can be heard through openings on the case back.
In addition to its impressive array of complications, the Grandmaster Chime is also a visually stunning watch. The case is heavily engraved and the dial is adorned with intricate details and hand-applied markers. The watch is completed with a hand-stitched alligator strap and a fold-over clasp.
Overall, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 5175 is a highly impressive and complex watch, showcasing the company’s expertise in horological excellence.
Contact one of our advisors today to ask about purchasing this amazing piece.
