Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Flyback Chronograph

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, paired with a flyback chronograph function. Designated a Reference 5960P-016, this lovely timepiece features a 40.5mm platinum case with sculpted, contoured lugs, a polished bezel, pump pushers and a signed crown. Its gloss black dial features applied luminous 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’ chronograph register and a matching luminous ‘dauphine’ handset.  The opposite side 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. It comes fitted to a signed black alligator strap with a matching signed platinum deployant clasp. This stellar example is also accompanied by its inner and outer boxes, books, leather folio and Certificate of Origin papers dated 12/2013. There’s no doubt that Patek's steel sports watch offerings have hogged the limelight in recent years, but let us not forget the exquisite, high-complication heavy-hitters hiding in plain sight in Patek's modern catalog. With this hefty and stunning stealth 5960P on your wrist, you certainly won't!