BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
If there’s one thing Patek Philippe excels at, it’s seamlessly weaving their iconic elegance into what seems like horological wizardry. Having said that, Patek Philippe has once again raised the bar with the release of the Minute Repeater Alarm 1938P, a tribute to the esteemed Philippe Stern on his 85th birthday. This limited edition series, comprising only 30 pieces, honors the legacy of Philippe Stern, who served as the President of Patek Philippe from 1993 to 2009. While originally intended for the postponed Only Watch 2023 charity auction, the unveiling of this masterpiece is now a celebration of a father-son bond and a profound mark on the Swiss watch industry.
The 41mm x 14.2mm platinum case of the Minute Repeater Alarm 1938P is a classic design that is reminiscent of converted pocket watches. The case is adorned with straight lugs and screwed-in strap bars.
Notably, the officer-style back bears a hinged dust cover engraved with a heartfelt message, “A mon père, 85 ans de passion horlogère” (To my father, 85 years of watchmaking passion).
Moving to the dial, the 18k gold base is coated with Grand Feu black enamel, creating a classic yet striking backdrop. Applied Breguet numerals and hands in white gold elegantly indicate the hours and minutes, with a rose gold hand for the 12-hour alarm. What makes the dial truly unique is the left side adorned with a portrait of Philippe Stern, an endearing detail achieved through Grand Feu white and gray miniature painting on enamel.
At the heart of this exceptional timepiece is the Calibre R AL 27 PS, an in-house movement that pays homage to Patek Philippe’s legacy of minute repeaters. The movement, featuring a micro-rotor, is an evolution of the brand’s automatic minute repeaters, boasting 4 new patents and 227 additional parts. The minute repeater and alarm share the same gongs, with a slide piece on the left side of the case facilitating seamless transitions between the two chiming modes.
The watch is secured to the wrist with an alligator leather strap in shiny black, complemented by a platinum fold-over clasp. Limited to just 30 pieces, the Minute Repeater Alarm 1938P comes with a hefty price tag of CHF 890,000.
