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Patek Philippe 324 S C

Probable

The caliber behind the 5711 Nautilus, the 5167 Aquanaut and much of the modern Calatrava line — which makes it the movement most often reproduced in counterfeit Pateks, because the 5711 is among the most valuable steel watches in the world. It is also visible: the 5711's display back means the movement can be examined without disassembly, so on this reference the movement is unusually accessible evidence. Expect a 21k gold rotor, a free-sprung Gyromax balance with no regulator index, and finishing consistent throughout rather than only where it shows.

Specifications

Movement manufacturer
Patek Philippe
Production
2004–present
Frequency
28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Jewels
29
Power reserve
45 hours
Winding
automatic
Complications
Centre seconds · Date

Architecture

Automatic with a central rotor in 21k gold, Gyromax balance and Spiromax silicon balance spring on later production. S C denotes seconde centrale — centre seconds — with a date.

Service practice

Silicon Spiromax balance springs were introduced during the caliber's life, so a serviced watch may carry a later spring than it left with. That is a service finding and legitimate.

Open questions

OpenTransition dateMedium

Dating the Spiromax balance-spring introduction within the 324 family

When did the silicon Spiromax balance spring enter production in the 324 family, and does the transition align with any reference change?

Scope The caliber record notes that a serviced watch may carry a later spring than it left with, which makes the spring useless as a dating input unless the original transition is known. With a date it would become a weak but real cross-check on a 5711; without one it establishes nothing either way.

Related calibers

References using this caliber

Provenance of this record

Sources & Evidence

Primary sourceManufacturer documentation

Patek Philippe — collection, caliber and Patek Philippe Seal documentation

Patek Philippe SA

Accessed
2026-08-18

Cited for

This referenceHigh confidence
View source
Secondary sourceCollector research

Patek collector research on reference suffixes, case makers and dial variants

Collector communities and specialist dealers

Accessed
2026-08-18

Cited for

This referenceProbable

Last verified: Not yet reviewed