Movement record · Switzerland (Geneva)
Patek Philippe calibre 240
VerifiedAn ultra-thin automatic built around a recessed 22-carat gold micro-rotor rather than a full-diameter rotor, which keeps overall height low and leaves room for modules above the base movement.
Technical specifications
- Diameter
- 27.5 mm
- Height
- 2.53 mm
- Jewels
- 27 jewels on the base calibre
- Frequency
- 21,600 vibrations per hour
- Power reserve
- Approximately 48 hours
- Winding
- Automatic, by an off-centre micro-rotor
- Setting
- Crown setting
- Escapement
- Swiss lever
- Balance
- Free-sprung Gyromax balance
- Complications
- Base calibre; developed into perpetual calendar, moon-phase and world-time versions
Identification features
- Off-centre gold micro-rotor sunk into the movement plate
- Geneva finishing with Gyromax balance
- Off-centre gold micro-rotor
- Small seconds at 4 or 5 o'clock when fitted
- Gyromax balance
- 22-carat gold micro-rotor recessed into the movement
- Height about 2.4 mm
- Geneva Seal or Patek Philippe Seal finishing
Known variants
- 240 Q perpetual calendar
- 240 HU world time
- 240 PS with small seconds
- 240 PS (small seconds)
- 240 Q (perpetual calendar)
- 240 HU (world time)
Servicing notes
Factory or specialist service only; the micro-rotor bearing and free-sprung balance both require specialist tooling.
General guidance only. Antique movements should be serviced by a qualified watchmaker.
Historical significance
Ultra-thin automatic calibre introduced by Patek Philippe in 1977, using a 22-carat gold micro-rotor recessed into the movement; it is about 2.4 mm thick.
Photographs
Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.
Sources & references
- Manufacturer technical descriptions of the calibre 240 family
- de Carle, D., Watch and Clock Encyclopedia
- Period trade material catalogues and calibre reference compilations (edition-dependent)
- Published manufacturer technical documentation where available
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.