Originally introduced in 2017 for the Grand Exhibition in New York, the Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater Ref. 5531R was the first minute repeater that could chime the local time, as opposed to a conventional world-time repeater that would only strike the home time. The reference then entered regular production in 2018 with a cloisonné enamel of Lake Geneva, or the lac Léman as locals know it, a recurring motif on Patek Philippe enamel watches.

Patek Philippe has now unveiled a special-edition version for the Watch Art Grand Exhibition 2019 in Singapore, featuring a cloisonné enamel dial depicting the city centre of Singapore, along with the country’s name listed on the city disc in place of Beijing. It joins the Minute Repeater Tourbillon Singapore 2019 Ref. 5303R as one of the grand complications created especially for the event.

As was always the case, the watch is in red gold and measures 40.2mm wide. it features hand-guillochéd, hobnail pattern on the case band as well as on the repeater slide on the left.

In it is the self-winding cal. R 27 HU which features the patented repeater mechanism that chimes the time of the city at the 12 o’clock position on the world time mechanism. While a minute repeater usually operates independently from the world time and thus chimes only the home time, the two mechanisms in this case are mechanically coupled. The hour snail of the repeater is continuously driven by the time zone wheel of the world time mechanism. It would traditionally be linked to the motion works instead in a regular minute repeater.

And in contrast to all other Patek Philippe minute repeaters, its gongs are directly attached to the case band instead of the movement plate for better sound quality. It also features a safety mechanism that blocks the world time mechanism during chiming, meaning once the snails, racks, wheels and levers are engaged, no adjustments of the time zone can take place.

The calibre uses a micro rotor and offers a 55-hour power reserve. As with all of Patek Philippe’s present movements, it is equipped with a proprietary, free-sprung adjustable mass balance that is attached to a silicon hairspring.

It features a sapphire case back printed with the inscription “Patek Philippe Singapore 2019” and also comes with an interchangeable back in solid red gold with the text engraved.

Key facts

Diameter: 40.2mm
Height: 11.49mm
Material:Rose gold
Water-resistance: Not water-resistant

Movement:R 27 HU
Functions: Hours, minutes, world time, minute repeater
Winding: Self-winding
Frequency: 28,800bph, or 4Hz
Power reserve: 48 hours

Strap: Brown alligator leather with red-gold fold-over clasp

Price and availability

The Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater Singapore 2019 Ref. 5531R-010 is limited to five pieces, priced at 540,000 Swiss francs. For more, visit Patek.com.