The Ultimate Watch
To describe any single watch as "the ultimate" might sound like hyperbole. However there is one watch that has gained that moniker in horological circles. If any watch deserves to be called the ultimate watch it must be the:Patek Philippe Calibre 89
The Patek Philippe Calibre 89 was, as the name suggests, created in 1989. It was produced to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Geneva watchmaker Patek Philippe.The aim of the Calibre 89 appears to have been to cram as much in as possible whilst retaining the levels of quality for which Patek Philippe is renowned. As a result, this amazing double-sided watch has twenty-four hands and over thirty different functions. These include perpetual calendar, leap year and Easter calculation, sunrise and sunset indicators, a star chart and even a thermometer!
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the ultimate watch consists of 1728 parts and reportedly took nine years to develop.
Only four of these watches were sold, one made in platinum and one each in yellow, rose and white gold. Initially they were sold for four million Swiss francs each. In 2004 the white gold Calibre 89 was sold at auction for around six and a half million Swiss francs - five million US dollars.
For all its glorious complexity, the Calibre 89 is not actually very practical. Although designated a "pocket watch" it is too large for such a purpose, weighing in at almost three pounds! In addition, the myriad of hands and dials make it difficult to actually read.
But I wouldn't turn one down...
External Links:
The Patek Philippe Museum