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PP 240

PP 240 (click to enlarge!)
PP 240
© Patek Philippe

Calibre PP 240 is an automatic watch movement from Patek Philippe.

This is Patek Philippe's current micro-rotor automatic movement.

Info

Calibre 240 is a venerable but respected watch movement, dating back to 1977. It uses a micro rotor for automatic winding to keep the movement as thin as possible, and thus serves as a platform for many complications in Patek Philippe's range of thin watches. To this end, most Cal. 240 movement variations omit a seconds hand. The thinnest Cal. 240 movements are just 2.53 mm thick (2.4 mm as measured by some), while even most more-complicated models are under 4 mm. The largest and thickest model in the family, Cal. 240 LU CL C, uses a special 38 mm plate and is 6.81 mm thick, quite an anomaly in this family.

Like most movements from the 1970's, Cal. 240 beats at a leisurely 21,600 A/h. This contributes to its respectable power reserve, up to 48 hours, but requires careful tuning to maintain accuracy. This is accomplished with Patek's well-known and respected two-spoke Gyromax balance which has eight internal weights for adjustment.

Calibre 240 has the distinction of de-throning one of the longest-running and most-loved watch movements of the century, Patek Philippe's Cal. 27-460. This full-rotor automatic movement lasted in production from 1960 until 1985, when the thin aspect and proven mechanics of Cal. 240 finally pushed it to retirement. The fact that Cal. 240 remains actively in use today in many of Patek Philippe's watches is telling Between this movement and Cal. 27-460 (itself closely related to the original automatic movement, Cal. 12-600 AT), these two movement designs have powered Patek Philippe's high-end automatic watches for over 60 years!

Advanced Research

In 2000, Patek Philippe launched an Advanced Research project to develop next-generation watch components. One major area of development was silicon escapements and balance wheels, both of which were used in a special variant of this movement, Cal. 240 Q Si. As implied, this reference includes a perpetual calendar, moon phase, and 24 hour display as on the 240 Q, but adds some novel high-tech components:

  1. The GyromaxSi balance wheel is an hourglass-shaped balance composed of silicon and gold weights, replacing the traditional wheel.
  2. The escapement wheel and anchor are constructed of silicon.
  3. The Spiromax hairspring is also constructed of silicon.

This combination was labeled “Oscillomax” by Patek Philippe and sold in a limited-edition 5550P Advanced Research Perpetual Calendar watch in 2011.

Complications

Patek pairs Cal. 240 with various complication modules:

Calibre      Dimensions (mm) Jewels Parts Usage Features
240 Ø 27.5, H 2.5327161Calatrava, Golden EllipseNo seconds
240/152 Moon phase indicator, power reserve, sub-seconds
240 HU Ø 27.5, H 3.8833239World Time 5231, 5230, World Time 713024 time-zones, day/night indicator for all time-zones
240 LU CL C Ø 38, H 6.8145315Celestial 6102Date, Moon phase, celestial display, date by central pointer
240 PS C Ø 30, H 3.4327 Date, small seconds
240 PS IRM C LU Ø 31, H 3.9829265Nautilus 5712Date, small seconds, moon phase, power reserve indicator
240 Q Ø 27.5, H 3.8827275Grand Complications 5327, 7140Perpetual calendar, day, date, month, leap year and 24-hour indication by hands, moon phase
240 Q Si Ø 27.5, H 3.8827 Perpetual calendar, moon phase, 24 hour display, “Oscillomax” silicon components
240 SQU Ø 27.5, H 2.5327159Complications 5180Skeletonized, no seconds

See also

Manufacturer:

Description:

Functions:

  • Hour/minute hands

Data:

  • 21,600 A/h
  • 27.5-38 mm wide, 2.53-6.81 mm high
  • 27, 27, 33, 45 jewels
  • 45-48 hours power reserve

Production period:

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