
Sharon Chan
Head of department, Director of Watches, Asia
Sold for HK$384,000 inc. premium
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Silinvar, a silicon-based material, revolutionized watchmaking when first introduced. Developed by CSEM in Neuchâtel and supported by Patek Philippe, Rolex, and the Swatch Group, Silinvar represents a patented innovation derived from mono-crystalline silicon. It boasts remarkable advantages, particularly its resistance to temperature fluctuations ranging from -10°C to +60°C, as reflected in its name—a blend of "silicon" and "invariable."
This cutting-edge material debuted in the reference 5250 Annual Calendar Patek Philippe Advanced Research, a highly exclusive 100-piece limited edition. While adhering to traditional aesthetics and incorporating the patented annual calendar mechanism launched in 1996, the reference 5250 stood out for its unique design on the reverse. The rear featured a sapphire "bubble" on the display caseback, magnifying the silicon escape wheel placed under a specially engineered bridge.