The New Patek Philippe Twenty~4 7340/1R Perpetual Calendar

Introduced in 1999, the Twenty~4 collection was Patek Philippe’s first dedicated line of feminine timepieces. The original model featured an Art Deco-inspired manchette (cuff) design, but in 2018, the brand unveiled the Twenty~4 Automatic, which is a round-cased iteration powered by an automatic movement. This year, Patek Philippe elevates the collection further by introducing a perpetual calendar complication, marking the collection's debut in the realm of Grand Complications.
Crafted entirely in 18K rose gold, the watch features a 36mm case with a slender profile of just 9.95mm, making it sit gracefully on the wrist. The case is meticulously finished with a combination of polished and brushed surfaces, enhancing its refined aesthetic. Two dial options are available. The Ref. 7340/1R-001 features a silvery opaline dial with a vertical satin finish, evoking the texture of shantung silk that feature irregular texture, while the Ref. 7340/1R-010 presents an olive green sunburst dial for a more contemporary appeal.

Glossary

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Glossary
Barrel

Barrel

A barrel is a hollow, cylindrical metal component in mechanical watches, sealed with a lid, surrounded by a ring of gears. The barrel serves as the energy storage unit, powered either by manual winding (via the watch’s crown) or by the movement of the wearer’s wrist in automatic watches. This stored energy is essential for operating the watch's movement.

Barrel Mechanism Explained

1. Mainspring:

The barrel houses the mainspring, a coiled spring that stores potential energy when wound.
One end of the mainspring is attached to the barrel, while the other end is fixed to the mainspring arbor.

2. Winding:

As the mainspring tightens, it accumulates potential energy.
Energy is stored in the mainspring by winding the watch manually via the crown or automatically through an automatic winding mechanism.

3. Power Reserve:

The stored energy in the mainspring is gradually released as it unwinds.
This energy powers the watch movement and keeps the hands moving.

4. Connection to the Gear Train:

The barrel transmits energy to the watch’s gear train, a series of gears that control the flow of energy.
This rotational force drives the escapement and moves the hands of the watch with precision.