This introduction is not of a new watch, but of a new book. Today, Patek Philippe announced Patek Philippe: The Authorized Biography, a new 544-page monograph about the vaunted Swiss watchmaker by British author and historian Nicholas Foulkes. The book contains over 600 images, including tons of original photography of rare watches not usually shown to the public. We're yet to get our hands on a copy, but this sounds like a lot more than the usual brand book.

"I am very pleased to see the history of my family’s company come to life in this excellent volume," says Philippe Stern, Honorary President of Patek Philippe (and father of current CEO Thierry Stern). "This is the first time that the Patek Philippe archive has been accessed and brought to life in a factual and definitive work. Nicholas Foulkes has perfectly recreated the atmosphere and details of our 175-year journey."