Mention the name 'Patek Philippe' to someone with more than a passing interest in horology and the likelihood is that images of exquisitely-crafted mechanical movements will instantly spring into their mind. 

They will think of the minute repeaters and perpetual calendar wrist watches for which the maker has become renowned; of the record-breaking Henry Graves 'Supercomplication' pocket watch and its 900-plus parts; of the Calibre 89 that reigned as the world's most complicated watch for 27 years. And of course, of the Grand Master Chime – the masterpiece created to mark Patek's 175th anniversary, a unique example of which became the most expensive timepiece on the planet when it fetched $31 million for charity back in 2019.

A Patek Philippe Beta 21 ref. 3587 watch in Why Patek Philippe has Always Cared About Quartz for A Collected Man London

Possibly the most esoteric Patek Philippe ever made, the Beta 21 driven ref. 3587, courtesy of Sotheby’s.


But only a true Patek Philippe scholar is likely to think of the maker's long-standing appreciation of (dare we even say it?) the quartz oscillator, the invention best known for threatening to kill-off the traditional skills of mechanical watchmaking o