Patek Philippe: Ref.5373P Left-Handers Monopusher Chronograph

Inspired by a one-of-a-kind piece sold by Patek Philippe in 1927, a custom-made cushion-shaped split- seconds chronograph (movement No. 198 012), the manufacture has now converted the Ref. 5372 into the new Ref. 5373P-001, a Split-Seconds Monopusher Chronograph with perpetual calendar designed for left-handers, a first in the recent history of the Geneva-based Maison.

Ref. 5373P-001, THE FIRST PATEK CHRONOGRAPH FOR LEFT-HANDERS

With a diameter of 38.3 mm, the platinum case has the same size as the Ref. 5372 but its crown (with an integrated chronograph monopusher) is at 9 o’clock and the split-seconds pusher occupies an unusual position at 8 o’clock. It preserves its timeless elegance with the polished, concave bezel that creates the perfect transition to the slightly domed sapphire-crystal back, the recessed and satin-finished case flanks, and the delicately curved strap lugs that merge with the bars almost seamlessly. 

The indications (counters and apertures) of the dial are rotated by 180°: the analog date at 12 o’clock, the subsidiary seconds at 3 o’clock, the moon phases at 6 o’clock and the 60-minute counter at 9 o’clock, complemented by the aperture displays for the day of the week and the month as well as the leap year cycle at 10:30 and the day/night indicator at 1:30. Patek Philippe has also reworked the aesthetic appeal of the dial, endowing it with a charcoal-colored aspect and a vertical satin-finish; it is ingeniously animated by a black gradation to the periphery and the snailed ebony-black subsidiary dials. The indication of the time is based on applied Arabic numerals and faceted Dauphine hour and minute hands in white gold. 

The moon-phase display is extremely precise: it deviates from the actual lunar cycle by just one day every 122 years. For crisp legibility, the three chronograph hands from the center – chronograph and split-seconds hands as well as the 60-minute counter hand at 9 o’clock – are varnished red. The three chronograph commands (Start, Stop, and Reset) are selected with the monopusher in the crown at 9 o’clock. Stopping lap times with the split-seconds hand (rattrapante) is handled with the rectangular pusher at 8 o’clock.

A sapphire-crystal display back (interchangeable with the solid-platinum back delivered with the watch) reveals the architecture of the caliber CHR 27-525 PS Q movement with its two column wheels that bear two polished caps in the typical Patek Philippe style. The bridges, decorated with Geneva striping, are carefully chamfered and the edges are polished. 

Like all of Patek Philippe’s platinum watches, the new Ref. 5373P-001 features a brilliant cut diamond in the caseband. As an exception for left-handers, it is set at 12 o’clock in this timepiece.

The sporty looks and modern attitude of the new Ref. 5373P-001 is complemented by a black calfskin strap with an embossed textile texture and red contrast seams. It is secured with a platinum fold-over clasp. (Price CHF 500,000)