Patek Philippe Ladies First Chronograph: What women want?

Dec 23, 2009 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 2735 views

After the impressive Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 4897 R ladies watch, the new Patek Philippe Ladies First Chronograph (Ref. 7071R) watch is somewhat of a disappointment. I mean, do women really tend to buy these things?

I have already stated that I do not really understand what kind of jewelry women usually prefer to buy.

So, when it is time for me to buy an anniversary or a birthday gift to my beloved wife, we usually go together and she points at a curiously crafted little chunk of precious metal she would like to have.

If the little thing doesn’t strike a blow to our family budget, I usually buy and keep my opinion to myself. Or else.

And guess what, when it comes to watches, my wife prefers quartz (you don’t need to wind it every 40 hours or so) to mechanical movements and usually chooses tiny, sub-25 mm cases not paying any attention to the monstrous diamonds-stuffed automatic chronographs that look more massive than gents chronograph watches looked only twenty years ago. Like this one.

In other words, if the love of your life is closer to Eva Longoria Parker than to Kathy Bates, then she will most certainly prefer a Longines DolceVita to an Omega Speedmaster, even if the latter is five times more expensive.

Having said that, I really do not understand how Patek Philippe is going to sell their new Ladies First Chronograph series of watches.

At a size of 39 mm in length, 35 mm in width and (OMG!) 10.95 mm in height, this model will cost like a Porsche Boxster, weight like a VW Golf and look like a tactical wrist computer from The Predator movie, but you won’t even be able to detonate a portable nuke with it!

However, if you are a real connoisseur and love watches not only for their exterior look, but also for movements that power it, then there is a good chance that this one will strike you right into heart.

As you can see on the photos, the hand-wound CH 29-535 PS movement (it is reported that the caliber will also power the upcoming Patek Philippe Ref. 5170J chronograph, which is designed for men) features the traditional unrivalled build quality and a beautiful design that you can admire for hours.

Based on the classic column wheel and horizontal clutch architecture, the movement features a number of innovative design solutions, such as optimized synchronization of the clutch and brake levers, as well as self-setting return to zero hammers that make the watch more reliable and dependable.

Patek Philippe Ladies First Chronograph Ref. 7071R watch specification

Price range: Around €50,000
Movement: CH 29-535 PS, hand-wound, in-house, 33 jewels, 28,800 vph, 29.6 mm x 5.35 mm
Complications: Chronograph
Power reserve: 65 hours
Case material: Rose gold, 18 carat
Case shape: Cushion
Transparent case back: Yes, sapphire crystal
Case size: 39 mm x 35 mm
Case height: 10.5 mm
Dial: Silvery opaline
Hands: Baton-style, painted brown
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Hand-stitched alligator leather, matt white (black dial) or brown with white stitching (white dial,) 18-mm prong buckle in 18K rose gold
Crystal: Sapphire, domed