Article of the week
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

Grand Feu Enamel

Is a specialized finishing technique for watch dials, involving the heating of silica powder and other compounds on a metal base at extremely high temperatures in consecutive layers. The compounds melt and fuse together to create a glassy surface. This type of finishing is done in multiple layers, with each layer individually heated in the furnace, which poses a risk to previously applied and heated layers.


The "Grand Feu Enamel" technique is known for its high level of difficulty and a high failure rate. Maintaining a delicate balance between temperature and timing throughout the process is crucial to achieve the desired result. Each layer contributes to determining the thickness of the glass coating and allows for the integration of multiple colors.