The 2021 Editions of The Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Automatic

Patek Philippe introduces two new automatic models in its recently revamped Twenty~4 women’s collection. In 2018, Patek Philippe overhauled its Twenty~4 collection from head to toe. Introducing 36mm round cases to sit alongside its rectangular-shaped siblings, the feature that thrilled many of us was the inclusion of a mechanical movement. More in line with Patek’s tradition of exquisitely crafted watches inside and out, the long-overdue upgrade from quartz to mechanical was finally addressed in the Twenty~4 family with the incorporation of Patek’s 324 S C movement. Patek’s proposal of an everyday watch for women, the new arrivals are a steel model with a green dial and a rose gold model with a matching gilded sunburst dial, both with a double row of diamonds on the bezel.

From complications to ready-to-wear

It would be wrong to assume that Patek Philippe is Switzerland’s finest producer of men’s watches: it has been and still is Switzerland’s finest producer of both men’s and women’s watches for 182 years. The first Swiss wristwatch designed by Patek in 1868 was for the Hungarian Countess Koscowicz. In 1916, Patek produced its first repeating wristwatch (calibre 10), a five-minute repeater housed in a 27mm platinum case for women and, following a hiatus of 80-odd years, resumed its production of women’s complications with the women’s Travel Time Ref. 4864 of 1997. In 2009, Patek Philippe launched Ref. 7071, the first chronograph conceived exclusively for women with a manufacture movement, recently updated in a classic round 38mm case (Ref. 7150). Complementing the complications, Patek Philippe also offers downsized versions of many of its iconic men’s lines with models borrowed for the Nautilus, Calatrava, Gondolo and Aquanaut families.

However, what did seem to be missing was a ready-to-wear collection designed for women. In 1999 the gap was filled with the Twenty~4, a rectangular watch with a slightly Art Deco personality and a luxurious integrated bracelet. Its name, the Twenty~4, was designed to evoke its purpose as a 24/7 watch with a good dose of glamour. Extremely successful, the manchette or cuff-style watch did not quite tick all the right boxes for some women who felt that a quartz movement was not on a par with Patek’s refined approach to watchmaking. It’s worth mentioning that the rectangular models are still in collection and a new rose gold model with a chocolate dial has just sailed into the family in 2021.

In 2018, the Twenty~4 was expanded with round cases and proper mechanical movements. In the pursuit of visual continuity between the two radically different watches, the one design feature that made it from the rectangular to the round watches was the beautiful bracelet.

Two new models, in steel or rose gold

Offered in either stainless steel or rose gold, the case’s 36mm diameter is the perfect size for women’s wrists. Thanks to the integration of the bracelet into the bezel, the overall impression is one of fluidity. The central bracelet links at 12 and 6 o’clock form part of the bezel to create a lovely flowing sensation. The flexible bracelet is composed of gently cambered central links flanked by double-tiered vertical links. Entirely mirror-polished by hand, the bracelet is fitted with a patented foldover clasp secured with four independent catches. In either metal, the finishings are spectacular with gleaming hand-polished surfaces throughout and the additional sparkle of diamonds on the bevelled bezel. The double row of 160 brilliant-cut diamonds is set using the ‘dentelle’ (lacework) technique.

The steel model (Ref. 7300/1200A) comes with an attractive, trendy olive green dial with a sunburst decoration – the first time Patek has used this colour. The rose gold model (Ref. 7300/1200R) has a gilded rose-gold dial that echoes the case material, also with a sunburst finish. To achieve the unique sheen of a sunburst dial, artisans dip a brush with metal bristles into an abrasive paste to create the rays emanating from the centre of the dial to the edges.

Designed as a watch to be worn day in day out, the Twenty~4 emphasises legibility and practicality and has a date window at 6 o’clock. In both models, the large Arabic numerals are crafted in gold  (white or rose gold depending on model) and treated with white Super-LumiNova. The gold baton-style hour and minute hands, which match the case material, are also treated with luminescence, and a lightly rounded sapphire crystal protects the dial.

the classic Calibre 324 S C

All the new round Twenty~4 models are fitted with in-house calibre 324 S C, an automatic movement used across the board at Patek inside three-hand & date Nautilus, Calatrava and Aquanaut models. Beating at 28,800vph, the movement can store between 35-35 hours of power reserve and has a central rotor in 21k gold engraved with the Calatrava cross. The manual finissage of the movement, including the rippling Côtes de Genève decorations on the bridges and rotor, complies with the strict standards laid down by the brand’s Patek Philippe Seal and can be admired through the sapphire crystal caseback.

Price

The Patek Philippe Twenty~4 in stainless steel (Ref. 7300/1200A) retails for EUR 24,200 (incl. tax). The Twenty~4 rose gold model (Ref. 7399/1200R) retails for EUR 42,200 (incl. tax).

More information at Patek Philippe.