Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Moonphase

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 Philippe 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 example, a Reference 5036/1J, is housed in a 37mm 18k yellow gold case with a stepped polished bezel, sapphire crystal and signed crown. It features a satin silver dial with applied yellow gold Roman indices, recessed subsidiary registers indicating day and month, moonphase aperture and date window at 6 o'clock, and a luminous feuille handset. Powered by Patek Philippe's Calibre 315 SQA 24H IRM LU self-winding movement, it comes fitted to a lovely solid yellow gold multi-link bracelet with a signed deployant clasp, giving the piece some added heft and presence on the wrist. This example has been treated to a professional case refinish and is stunning condition throughout, shipping with its inner and outer box set, purchase receipt and a Certificate of Origin dated October 2000. Opulent, svelte and arguably the sexiest of Patek’s annual calendars, this timepiece is a stunner from the maison that invented the category!