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+====== Patek Philippe Advanced Research ======
+{{wst>author|[[Foskett, Stephen|Stephen Foskett]] ([[https://grail-watch.com/|Grail Watch]])}}
+In [[2000]], [[Patek Philippe]] began an **Advanced Research** program to develop next-generation technologies for watchmaking. These projects resulted in a number of experimental [[watch movement]]s, many with [[silicon]] ("silicium" or "**Silinvar**") components, as well as a number of limited-production watches available to the general public.
+===== Advanced Research Silinvar Series =====
+==== 2005 Annual Calendar Ref. 5250 ====
+  *See [[Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 5250]]
+The first fruit of the Advanced Research project was introduced in [[2005]]. Inside a special [[Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 5250|Annual Calendar, Ref. 5250]] was [[PP 315#Advanced Research|Cal. 315 S IRM QA LU Si]], which contained a [[silicon]] escape wheel. This wheel is produced from a microprocessor-style silicon wafer using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE). They found that this wheel, paired with traditional ruby escapement pallets, had the same friction characteristics as lubricated steel but needed no lubrication. This was paired with lubrication-free ceramic ball bearings for the winding rotor and produced in limited numbers.
+special [[Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 5250|Annual Calendar watches, Ref. 5250]] were produced with this movement, and these included a special "loupe" on the rear sapphire crystal so the silicon escapement can be viewed.
+==== 2006 Annual Calendar Ref. 5350 and Spiromax ====
+  *See [[Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 5350]]
+The next year, [[2006]], Patek introduced another Advanced Research component the "**Spiromax**" [[hairspring]]. One issue with Silicon components is that their physical properties change with temperature. This is especially difficult for a hairspring, which must maintain precisely the same elasticity over time and temperature. Patek solved this issue by coating the silicon hairspring in silicon dioxide. The company also incorporated their patented "Patek Philippe terminal curve" to maintain a flat yet concentric oscillation pattern.
+The Spiromax hairspring and silicon escape wheel were brought together in [[PP 324#Advanced Research|a special Cal. 324 variant]]. The product of this development was [[Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 5350|another Annual Calendar, Ref. 5350]], this time with 300 pieces produced.
+==== 2008 Annual Calendar Ref. 5450 and Pulsomax ====
+  *See [[Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 5450]]
+For [[BaselWorld]] [[2008]], Patek Philippe debuted a silicon anchor to create a complete silicon escapement. This new component was dubbed "**Pulsomax**" and included all three advancements to date in one [[PP 324#Advanced Research|Cal. 324 movement]]. This movement features a re-worked escape wheel with 16 teeth instead of the traditional 20 and a new anchor design.
+This movement was used in [[Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 5450|another Annual Calendar, Ref. 5450]]. Again, it was produced in 300 pieces.
+==== 2011 Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5550P and Oscillomax ====
+  *See [[Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 5550]]
+The culmination of the Advanced Research Silinvar project was announced in [[2011]]: The "**GyromaxSi**" balance. This hourglass-shaped component is crafted of Silinvar with gold weights affixed to the rim. Four adjusters are placed at the rim, two on either side of each weight. Like the other Advanced Research silicon components, the GyromaxSi balance is DIRE etched.
+The Pulsomax escapement, Spiromax hairspring, and GyromaxSi balance were brought together with a new name, "**Oscillomax**". They were used in a special [[PP 240|Cal. 240]] variant, this time with a [[perpetual calendar]] complication added as well. The resulting watch, [[Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 5550|Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5550]], was produced in 300 pieces.
+==== Silinvar Technology Summary ====
+  * Silinvar - Patek Philippe's proprietary silicon alloy
+  * Oscillomax - A complete silicon timing system including the following components
+    * Pulsomax - A silicon [[escapement]] [[escape wheel]] and [[anchor]]
+    * Spiromax - A flat silicon [[hairspring]]
+    * GyromaxSi - An hourglass-shaped silicon and gold [[balance wheel|balance]]
+===== Other Advanced Research Watches =====
+Although the Advanced Research series is often thought to be synonymous with the progression of Silinvar components outlined above, Patek Philippe has produced other Advanced Research watches as well. These do not fit well within the Silinvar series but are nevertheless important technical developments for the company.
+==== 2008 Grand Complication Ref. 5208 ====
+  *See [[Patek Philippe Grand Complication 5208]]
+The next development for the Advanced Research project was a [[grand complication]] with the Silinvar escapement. The result was the [[Patek Philippe Grand Complication 5208|Grand Complication, Ref. 5208]].
+==== 2012 Annual Calendar Regulator Ref. 5235 ====
+  *See [[Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator 5235]]
+At [[Basel World]] in [[2012]], Patek unveiled their first-ever [[regulator]] watch, [[Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator 5235|Annual Calendar Regulator, Ref. 5235G]]. This watch features an hour hand at 12 00, a central minute hand, and [[small seconds]] at 6 00. It also features an [[annual calendar]] complication.
+This watch does not use the [[PP 240|Cal. 240 micro-rotor movement]] as it might first appear. Rather, it uses an all-new [[micro-rotor]] movement, [[PP 31-260|Cal. 31-260 REG QA]]. Measuring just 5.08 mm thick, the movement contains 313 parts and 29 jewels. Being an Advanced Research product, it includes the Pulsomax escapement, [[Gyromax]] balance, and Spiromax hairspring though not the GyromaxSi balance. Unusually, the movement runs 10% faster than Cal. 240 at 3.2 Hz or 23,040 A/h. A display caseback allows a bit of visibility but the "loupe" feature is not present.
+==== 2017 Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5650 ====
+  *See [[Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time 5650]]
+Patek Philippe surprised enthusiasts in [[2017]] by introducing a very-different Advanced Research watch, the [[Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time 5650|Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5650]]. This watch featured no Silinvar components at all, was a sporty [[Patek Philippe Aquanaut|Aquanaut]] model, and lacked exotic complications. Instead, Patek Philippe focused on simplifying the complex mechanism used to set the [[second time zone]] in the [[PP 324|Cal. 324]] movement. This was accomplished using steel springs rather than levers and pivots, and is displayed in an opening in the dial from 7 00 to 11 00.
+==== 2021 Ref. 5750 Minute Repeater ====
+{{tag>Patek_Philippe Patek_Philippe_Advanced_Research_models}}