In 1991, the soon-to-be graduates at the Geneva School of Engineering were presented with their final project prior to receiving their diploma — simplify the perpetual calendar.
Although the task was easier said than done, their work led to the inception of the annual calendar complication, patented by in collaboration with the bright engineering minds at the GSE. Five years later, Patek debuted the Reference 5035 which marked the world’s first-ever annual calendar movement and finally bridged the gap between a triple date function and the formidable quantième perpétuel.
This piece transports us forward to the present day and is a handsome modern interpretation of the Patek Philippe Complications Annual Calendar. Designated as a Reference 5960/1A-001, this lovely timepiece features a 40mm stainless steel case with sculpted, contoured lugs, a concave bezel, pump pushers and a signed crown.
The stark white dial features applied indices and displays a set of day-date-month apertures, as well as a power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock, a subsidiary 60 minute and 12 hour ‘monocounter’ dial and a matching luminous handset.
The reverse of the case features an exhibition back providing a window to admire the self-winding Caliber CH 28-520 C and its 21k gold winding rotor adorned with the hallmark Patek Philippe seal. It comes fitted to a stainless steel multi-link bracelet with a signed double deployant clasp. What’s more, this piece is accompanied by its inner and outer boxes, factory books, and Certificate of Origin papers dated June 2016.
There’s no doubt the Nautilus and Aquanaut have gotten their time in the sun, and even vintage Patek Philippe in general continues to demand the attention of any savvy collector. But let us not forget the high-complication heavy-hitters hiding in plain sight in Patek’s modern catalog!