Patek Philippe 5531 R 27 HU Reference page 4

The minute repeater
On demand, the minute repeater strikes the
hours, the quarter-hours, and then the minutes
that have elapsed since the last quarter-hour. The
first hammer strikes the hours on the low-pitched
gong with one strike for each hour. Subsequently,
each quarter-hour is sounded as an alternating
double strike by two hammers on both the
highand low-pitched gongs. Finally, the second
hammer strikes the high-pitched gong to count
the number of minutes that have passed since the
last quarter-hour.
At 12:59, for instance, the melody consists of 12
low sounds, 3 double high/low sounds, and 14
high sounds (totaling the maximum of 32 strikes).
The World Time
The legendary World Time watch, launched
in the 1930s, simultaneously and continuously
displays the time in all 24 time zones. A cult
object beloved of seasoned travelers and
collectors of fine mechanical devices, it took
another step forward in terms of functionality
in 1999. Since then, a unique mechanism enables
its owner, when changing time zones, to correct
all the displays collectively by pressing a single
pusher, without affecting the rate accuracy of
the movement. This patented system is exclusive
to Patek Philippe.
Cloisonné enamel
Cloisonné enamel is used for luminously colorful
ornamentations that are reminiscent of intensely
rich stained glass. The technique uses flattened
gold "ribbons", or wires, with thicknesses ranging
from 0.05 to 0.10 mm. They are soldered to the
base metal of the object on their edges, fashioned
into compartments, or cloisons, of a pattern that
are then filled with enamel powders of various
colors. In firing ovens, the powders melt and fuse.
The cloisonné enamel technique is used only
for very small editions of timepieces or unique
pieces. The completion of one single piece of
this kind can take several months, involve over
twenty enamel colors and require several firings.