Revolution Awards 2018: Best Women’s Watch ― Patek Philippe Ref.7150/250R-001 Ladies’ Chronograph

It has long been suggested that creating a desirable women’s watch is a more complex process than making one for men. The reasons are said to be twofold: a true connoisseur will always look for a faultless, technical and beautiful caliber, but for a world-class feminine watch, the aesthetic of the dial, case and bracelet or strap must be equally as exquisite as the beating heart of the piece.

For this year’s Best Women’s Watch category, there were a number of strong contenders, demonstrating a refreshing shift in the industry’s attitude to this rapidly-growing sector. However, one watch drew unanimous praise from Revolution’s editors and judges when it was revealed at Baselworld, and its ability to delight has not diminished in the months that have followed. Our hands-down winner for 2018 is the heart-stoppingly gorgeous Patek Philippe ref. 7150/250R-001 Manually Wound Ladies’ Chronograph.

Following in the footsteps of its pioneering big sister, the ref. 7071 Ladies’ First Chronograph, the ref. 7150 is currently the only chronograph created by Patek Philippe specifically for women. As anyone around at the time will remember, the Ladies’ First sent ripples through the watch world when it was unveiled in 2009, as it housed a brand-new, manual-winding, manufacture chronograph movement — and the reference was sorely missed when production ceased in 2016.

Building on the success of the brand’s complicated watches designed explicitly for women, the new model again houses the acclaimed CH 29-535 PS caliber. Endowed with the Patek Philippe Seal and containing six patented innovations, the caliber remains one of the best chronograph movements on the market. As would be expected, the incredible finish is displayed via a box-type sapphire-crystal caseback.

The housing, however, has a completely new look. While the ref. 7071 had a cushion case, the ref. 7150 has a more traditional and well-proportioned 38mm round shape in rose gold with a gem-set bezel featuring 72 white diamonds. A silver opaline dial provides the base for a 30-minute counter at three o’clock and subsidiary seconds at nine, plus a peripheral pulsometer that adds to the vintage feel created by the curved lugs, round, hand-guillochéd chronograph pushers and box sapphire crystal. Rose-gold Breguet-style hour and minute hands, applied Arabic numerals, a black nickel-plated chronograph hand and an unusual mink-colored alligator strap with diamond-set pin buckle provide the finishing feminine details.

A ticking package of pure beauty, the ref. 7150 has joined that rare breed of timepiece: one that is so close to perfection that it transcends any limits placed on it and becomes a women’s watch that everyone, regardless of gender, wants to wear.

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