The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication is one of the most famous and intricate timepieces ever created.

The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication is one of the most famous and intricate timepieces ever created. It was commissioned by American banker Henry Graves Jr. in the early 20th century and completed in 1933 by Patek Philippe, a renowned Swiss watchmaker.

The Henry Graves Supercomplication features a staggering 24 complications. Complications are functions beyond the basic timekeeping. These complications include a perpetual calendar, moon phases, sunrise and sunset times, a celestial chart depicting the night sky over New York City as seen from Graves' apartment, and more.

What functions does the Patek Philippe henry graves supercomplication have?

Here follows an exhaustive list! Are you ready?

1. Perpetual Calendar
2. Minute Repeater
3. Chronograph
4. Moon Phases
5. Sunrise and Sunset Times
6. Celestial Chart
7. Sidereal Time
8. Westminster Chimes
9. Seasonal Calendar
10. Power Reserve Indicator
11. Phases of the Moon (Lunar Orbit)
12. Date of Easter
13. Star Chart for New York City
14. Equation of Time
15. Sunrise and Sunset Times for New York City
16. Second Time Zone
17. Perpetual Calendar for the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries
18. Phases and Ages of the Moon
19. Sidereal Time and Stellar Time
20. Equinox and Solstice Indications
21. Sunrise and Sunset Times for the Summer and Winter Solstices
22. Sunrise and Sunset Times (For the Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes)
23. Time of Solar Noon
24. Star Chart and Sidereal Time for New York City

The watch held the title of the world's most complicated timepiece for over half a century until 1989 when Patek Philippe created an even more complex timepiece. The Supercomplication gained further acclaim when it was auctioned by Sotheby's in 1999 for a record-breaking price, making it one of the most valuable watches ever sold. It remains a symbol of horological mastery and craftsmanship.

How is it different from the Thomas Emery Grande Complication?

• While both timepieces are extraordinarily complex, the Henry Graves Supercomplication surpassed the Grande Complication in terms of the number of complications and overall intricacy.
• The Grande Complication, made by Thomas Emery in 1890, featured a total of 22 complications, including a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, split-second chronograph, and moon phases.
• In comparison, the Supercomplication commissioned by Henry Graves Jr. boasted 24 complications, including additional features like a celestial chart and the ability to display sidereal time, which measures the Earth's rotation relative to distant stars.

Duration of Creation!

• The creation of the Henry Graves Supercomplication was an extensive and meticulous process that spanned several years.
• Henry Graves Jr. commissioned the Supercomplication in 1925, and Patek Philippe embarked on the ambitious project with the goal of surpassing the Grande Complication.
• It took a team of highly skilled watchmakers several years to design and craft each of the Supercomplication's intricate complications by hand.
• After nearly eight years of painstaking effort, Patek Philippe completed the Supercomplication in 1933, delivering it to Henry Graves Jr. as a testament to their craftsmanship and commitment to horological excellence.

The Supercomplication's creation not only marked a significant milestone in watchmaking history but also solidified Patek Philippe's reputation as a master of haute horlogerie. Its unparalleled complexity and the level of customization tailored to Henry Graves Jr.'s preferences make it a truly exceptional timepiece.