Once again Only Watch is here and once again Patek Philippe have mandated themselves with building the record breaker of the bunch. Given how this unique version of the Grandmaster Chime has turned out, we’re not about to bet against them.
This time the watch to get the Only Watch twist is Patek’s most complicated wristwatch, the 6300. Just how complicated is it? Well, it has 20 different functions, including grand and petite sonneries, a minute repeater, an alarm and a full host of time zone and calendar indicators. It even has a date repeater because EVERY chiming complication still isn’t enough.
Only a few of these twin-dialled bad boys are built every year – no wonder – and go for the low millions. That makes it a rarity at the best of times. A unique version of the Grandmaster Chime therefore goes well beyond rare; if the annually-produced version is a grail watch this is the Ark of the Covenant.
Normally produced in precious metals, the chunky 47.7mm case in this singular edition is in steel instead. Patek is one of the only brands where producing in steel makes collectors salivate. Perhaps more important however are the dials.
The main dial taps into the current retro zeitgeist with a stunning retro salmon pink, finished with blackened gold Arabic numerals, hands and a stunning hobnail guilloche. Even without the steel case, this would be a selling point. On the literal flipside, the perpetual calendar dial is far more toned down in opaline black with rose gold hands and date indicator.
The Grandmaster Chime is one of Patek’s most incredible pieces, and that’s saying something. Steel makes Patek collectors froth at the mouth and that too is saying something. Complete the set with a stunning salmon dial and you have a watch all but guaranteed to become the most expensive piece ever sold at Only Watch; possibly the most expensive new watch ever. The Patek Philippe 6300A has an estimate of EUR 1,800,000 – 2,200,000.
Price & Specs:
Model Name: Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime
Ref: 6300A-010
Case/Dial: 47.7mm diameter x 16.07mm thickness, stainless steel reversible case with guilloched hobnail pattern, salmon opaline dial with gold applied Breguet numerals and hand-guilloched hobnail center (time side) and black ebony dial (calendar side)
Movement: Cal. 300 GS AL 36-750 QIS FUS IRM, in-house, hand-wound
Power Reserve: 72h
Frequency: 25,200vph (3.5 Hz)
Functions: Grande Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie, minute repeater, strikework mode display (Silence/Grand Sonnerie/Petite Sonnerie), alarm with time strike, date repeater, movement power-reserve indicator, strikework power-reserve indicator, strikework isolator display, second time zone, second time zone day/night indicator, instantaneous perpetual calendar, day-of-week display, month display, date display (on both dials), leap year cycle, four-digit year display, 24-hour and minute subdial, moon phase
Strap: Alligator leather with square scales, hand-stitched, fold-over clasp
Price: CHF 2,000,000 – 2,500,000 estimate, unique piece for Only Watch 2019
More details at Only Watch’s website.
