Patek Philippe debut $2.6 million watch to celebrate 175th anniversary

The Swiss watch brand is splashing out on its birthday with a series of new watches, including the stunning Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime.

Patek Philippe is celebrating its 175th anniversary with a range of limited edition pieces. And of the four watch designs unveiled (three for men, and one for women), the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime is the undoubted star of the show. According to the company it's the most complicated wristwatch ever, featuring a double face (one for the date and one for the time) that spins between the lugs, an ornately engraved rose gold case, an alligator strap, and an astonishing 20 different complications including a range of different sonneries and repeaters.

The company apparently logged 100,000 hours for the watch's development, production, and assembly with 11,060 meticulously hand-finished parts in the seven limited-edition exemplars of the watch. One of them will go on display in the company's permanent collection, while the six others are priced at 2.5 million Swiss Francs (approximately US$2.6 million).