Patek Philippe is not only renowned for sophisticated annual calendars, but the brand actually invented this useful complication. While wristwatches with perpetual calendars had been around for decades, it wasn’t until 1996 that the Geneva-based manufacture came up with the idea of a simplified form which needs only to be corrected once a year, at the end of February.
At this year’s Watches and Wonders, this clever complication makes its debut in the Aquanaut Luce collection. The Aquanaut Luce Annual Calendar, ref. 5261R-001, displays the date, day of the week, month, and the moon phase on a blue dial. It is powered by the automatic caliber 26-330 S QA LU, whose calendar module, unlike other Patek Philippe annual calendars, was mounted upside down to display the moon phase at 12 o’clock with the subdials slightly offset to the bottom.
It goes without saying that this mechanical microcosm comprising of 319 parts is finished to the highest standards in accordance with the Patek Philippe Seal. The mechanism comes to life through the exhibition back on the reverse of the 39.9mm pink gold case.
Pricing for the Patek PhilippeAquanaut Luce Annual Calendar is marked at $61,510.
To learn more, visit Patek Philippe, here.