Amongst the special editions created for the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition in Tokyo is the World Time Minute Repeater Limited Edition Tokyo 2023 ref. 5531R-014. The ref. 5531R-014 is the more complicated of the two world time models that mark the event – the other is the ref. 5330G – and features a cloisonné enamel dial.

The dial continues with the motif first found on the ref. 5531R-010 made for the Grand Exhibition 2019 that took place in Singapore. Its centre is cloisonné enamel depicting a stylised map of the Chuo ward in central Tokyo, including the expansive grounds of Imperial Palace on the upper left.

Initial thoughts

Unlike the other two Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023 complications – Quad Comp ref. 5308P and World Time ref. 5330G – that are new references containing new calibres, the ref. 5531R is a variant of a regular-production model.

So while it less interesting from that perspective, the ref. 5531R-014 is still an compelling watch. The cloisonné map is an unusual motif for a dial, and almost abstract at a distance, but interesting and appealing.

The watch does have intrinsic appeal, however, it also does look similar to the ref. 5531R-010 made for the 2019 Grand Exhibition in Singapore. In fact, the two are probably indistinguishable from across a room. Doing something more distinctive, for instance another case metal and dial colour, would have made this more unique.

A bird’s eye view of Tokyo

The cloisonné enamel dial captures the Chūō ward of Tokyo as seen from above. Located in central Tokyo, Chuo encompasses the business district of Nihonbashi and the posh shopping area of Ginza. Major streets and roads form a grid pattern across the dial, with colour coming from the greenery of the Imperial Palace and the waters of Tokyo Bay. Notably, the dial is made by the workshop of Anita Porchet, as indicated by the “AP” signature.

Dial aside, the rest of the watch is standard ref. 5531. The case is rose gold and just over 40 mm in diameter.

Only in profile do the key elements of the case emerge. The case middle is finished with hobnail guilloche that is unbroken along the entire length of the case band thanks to the open-worked lugs.

The calibre within is the R 27 HU, based on Patek Philippe’s longstanding self-winding repeater movement but with a world time module under the dial.

Interestingly, the R 27 HU shares the same base calibre as the Quadruple Complication ref. 5308P-010 that is also making its debut at the Tokyo Grand Exhibition, so the view from the back is identical for both models.

Key facts and price

Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater Limited Edition Tokyo 2023
Ref. 5531R-014

Diameter: 40.2 mm
Height: 11.49 mm
Material: 18k rose gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: Dust and moisture resistant only

Movement: R 27 HU
Functions: Hours, minutes, world time, and minute repeater
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 38-48 hours

Strap: Alligator with rose gold folding clasp

Limited edition: 15 pieces
Availability: Only at Patek Philippe retailers and boutiques in Japan
Price: CHF600,000 (excluding taxes)

The Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Grand Exhibition takes place from June 10-25, 2023 at the Sankaku Hiroba. It is open to the public daily from 10:00 am-8:00 pm. Admission is free and no registration is required to attend.

Sankaku Hiroba
2 Chome-6-1 Nishishinjuku
Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Japan 160-0023

For more information, visit Patek.com.

Correction June 11, 2023: The ref. 5531R is only dust and moisture resistant, and not water resistant to 30 m as stated in an earlier version of the article.