Female Rams Get the Patek Philippe 7059 for their Birthdays–Lucky Ladies

The Astrology of Horology Series
Aries 2011 (March 21-April 20)

Just as the spring equinox signals new beginnings so too does Aries begin the zodiacal year. The Aries ladies are very lucky girls. Patek Philippe took grand complication CHR 27-525 PS calibre, the world’s thinnest split-seconds column-wheel chronograph, and made it for the fairer sex in the Patek Philippe Ladies First Split-Seconds Chronograph Ref. 7059R. I don’t know of any other brands that have designed a Split-Seconds of such a high caliber for women. When records are broken every year it’s quite an achievement this movement has held the high holiness of thinness in its class for six years.

A quick explanation of the functionality: The Split-Seconds, or double chronograph as it’s also known, was once referred to as the Fly-back second. A gentleman by the name of Adophe Nicole invented the complication but it wasn’t until the 1930’s that it could be miniaturized to fit into a watchcase. The Split-Seconds was designed to measure two separate timing events concurrently and therefore has two seconds hands superimposed over each other at the start. One hand moves continuously, while the second can be stopped, re-started or reset to zero.

A pioneer and open to new ideas, Rams will appreciate that the 7059 piece was made for them. When the majority of haute horlogerie houses concentrate their bag of complication tricks to entertain men, the Ref. 7059 makes the statement that ladies deserve to be at the table. In fact, they’re acknowledging that sophisticated women understand and want cool complications too. In their trailblazing way, Patek Philippe heeded the call.

Since lady Arians are good at a variety of professions, including doctors, pilots, athletes and adventurers, they will have great use for the Split-Seconds Chronograph. Think how cool she’ll look consulting her 7059 by land, sea, air or space.

Originally packaged in the gent’s 5959 model, this 33mm number is all woman. It has the classic monopusher setup in the crown with the reset pusher located at 2:00pm to control the interval timing hand’s start, stop and reset.  The complex movement is wrapped in a rose gold case and the bezel circled with a sparkling 153 diamonds that frame a grained opaline dial with Breguet numerals. Very rarely is jewelling continued onto the backside of a watch. But this 7059 is for the woman who wants to know it’s not just about surface appearances. Taking the watch off the wrist and turning it over reveals 76 more diamonds on the sapphire caseback, through which you can admire Patek Philippe’s top-notch finishing.

No worries about having such a different watch than your friends. You are the first sign of the zodiac, and as such are someone who leads the way and has free reign to express yourself. Indeed, it is a lucky Ramette that will have the honor of owning the 7059R, the watch delighting her with its beauty, complexity and ability to help her keep up in this fast relay of life.

Price: ~$440K

Movement Hand-wound, CHR 27-525 PS calibre

Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph and split-seconds

Case 18K pink gold, 33.2 mm

Bezel set with 153 diamonds (0.72 ct), back set with 76 diamonds (0.40 ct)

Sapphire crystal, front and back

Water-resistant to 30 m / 3 ATM

Dial Matt grained opaline

Applied 18K pink gold hourmarkers and Arabic numerals

60-minute and small seconds counters at 3 and 9 o’clock respectively

Bracelet/Strap Hand-stitched, matt pearly beige alligator leather, buckle set with 26

diamonds (0.18 ct)