While the Sky Moon Tourbillon introduced at the same time is bold and over the top, the Rare Handcrafts Ladies’ Minute Repeater ref. 7040/250G is graceful and delicately detailed.

Now the only minute repeater for ladies in the catalogue, the ref. 7040/250G features a dial with spiral guilloche covered in translucent enamel, match with unusual, spear-shaped hands and markers.

Initial thoughts

The ref. 7040/250G is surprisingly reminiscent of Patek Philippe’s men’s watch of the 1990s with its “officer’s” case. In fact, that case is quite close to that of the ref. 5029, the limited-edition minute repeater made in 1997 to commemorate the opening of its factory in Plans-les-Ouates.

That resemblance is a good thing, because the ref. 5029 was an elegant, classical watch. The new repeater shares similar lines, but has been tastefully dressed up as a ladies watch with a diamond bezel and guilloche dial.

The dial is a first for Patek Philippe, and certainly good looking. There’s a hint of Laurent Ferrier design in the dial, but again, the resemblance isn’t a bad thing.

All in all, the ref. 7040/250G is an all-rounder – a pretty watch with a finely detailed dial and a complex movement.

Svelte dimensions

Slightly larger than the preceding minute repeater for ladies (the ref. 7000 that was 33.7 mm), the ref. 7040/250G has a case of 18k white gold that measures just 36 mm by 10.14 mm high – more or less the dimensions the men’s minute repeater of the 1990s. The rounded bezel is set with two rows of diamonds in a “Flamme” setting, matched with diamonds on the pin buckle.

But the highlight of the design is the dial. It’s a disc of 18k gold that’s been engine turned the traditional way, with a hand-operated rose engine, and then covered in translucent blue enamel – a combination known as flinqué. The swirling pattern on the dial was inspired by a similar motif on the Rare Handcrafts pocket watch “Siamese Fighting Fish” ref. 992/137G-001 of 2019. And the hour markers are printed in gold lacquer on the dial, while the hands are solid white gold.

Inside is the R 27 PS, a slim, automatic movement wound by a micro-rotor that partially obscures the balance wheel. Like all Patek Philippe minute repeating calibres, the silent governor sits below a gilded bridge open worked to form a Calatrava cross.

Key facts and price

Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts Minute Repeater for ladies
Ref. Ref. 7040/250G-001

Diameter: 36 mm
Height: 10.14 mm
Material: 18k white gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: Humidity and dust resistant; not water resistant

Movement: R 27 PS
Functions: Hour, minutes, seconds, and minute repeater
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 43-48 hours

Strap: Alligator with diamond-set pin buckle

Limited edition: No
Availability: At both retailers and boutiques
Price: On request

For more, visit Patek.com.