In the early 2000s, Patek Philippe made their plans to create an entirely new and innovative department to contribute to the research and development of horology. This was the beginning of the Advanced Research department. Working with the CSEM research lab and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, researchers looked for new ways to bring horology into the 21st century. This new collaboration looked at “new materials”, “new manufacturing technologies” and a “new conceptual fundamental”. Out of this came Silinvar®, a patented mono-crystal silicon. This material was unaffected by temperature change and was very lightweight, and required no lubrication and was corrosion resistant.

Patek Philippe’s first watch to use this new material was the reference 5250 Annual Calendar Advanced Research with Silinvar® escape wheel limited to 100 pieces launched in 2005. In the following year, the firm released the ref. 5350 Annual Calendar featuring a balance spring made of Silinvar® and was limited to 300 pieces. In 2008, the ref. 5450 Annual Calendar was released this time featuring a Pulsomax® escapement also limited to 300 pieces. Three years later, the first Advanced Research perpetual calendar ref. 5550 was introduced presenting the Oscillomax® ensemble limited to 300 pieces.

The latest innovation and release bring the Advanced Research Aquanaut Travel Time ref. 5650G-001 in 2017. A limited edition of 500 pieces, the ref. 5650G complied all the innovations in one. With an additional two new features, the cal. 324 S C FUS is upgraded with the firm’s first Spiromax® balance spring made of Silinvar® and optimized with an inner boss, improving the isochronism of the balance in the vertical orientations of the watch. The result of the innovation is a -1/+2 seconds a day accuracy, similar to the standards of tourbillon wristwatches by the firm. The second innovation is specific to the reference as it features a time zone setting device cased on flexible mechanisms which is visible on the 9 o’clock position of the dial showcasing the four crossed leaf springs with chamfered edges.

Becoming one of the most important and hottest Patek Philippe sports wristwatch in the market in recent times, the present example fresh-to-the-market ref. 5650G-001 is offered in service sealed condition and complete with its full set of accessories consigned by an important Canadian collector.