Patek Philippe Annual Calendar

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 Patek 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 5396R-015, this lovely timepiece features a 38.5mm 18k rose gold case with sculpted, contoured lugs, a concave bezel, and polished finish. The dial features a blue sunburst finishing with applied diamond indices. The dial displays a pair of apertures at 12 o’clock displaying the day and month, a date window and subsidiary 24-hour indicator at 6 o'clock  complete with a moonphase. The reverse side of the case features an exhibition back providing a window to admire the self-winding Caliber 324 S QA LU, with its 21k gold winding rotor adorned with the hallmark Patek Philippe seal. It comes fitted to a signed blue alligator strap with a matching signed 18k rose gold deployant buckle. This piece is accompanied by its factory goodies. 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!