The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Ref. 5146J in 18K yellow gold
Although everyone has their own way of remembering how many days there are in each month, the Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Ref. 5146 provides the most elegant solution. This gentleman’s wristwatch takes the main components of the Annual Calendar, the Patek Philippe invention that won Watch of the Year in 1996 and adds a 45 hour power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock.
In contrast to the elegant simplicity of the styling, the number of complications on the dial hint at the complexity of craftsmanship beneath the case. All three complications are driven by rotary mechanisms designed for smooth transmission. The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Ref. 5146 displays the day, month by hands, center sweep second hand, date in an aperture at 6 o’clock as well as moon phases and power reserve indicator. The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Ref. 5146 comes in a contemporary 39mm case diameter. The timepiece is offered in white, yellow or rose gold as well as platinum. The gold models feature a cream or slate gray dial, with gold applied markers and arabic numerals at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock. The Ref. 5146P Annual Calendar in platinum features a Sunburst ebony dial with gold applied hour markers. The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar ref. 5146 comes on a fold-over clasp.
The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Ref. 5146 is powered by the Caliber 324 S IRM QA LU mechanical self-winding movement and is comprised of 355 individual parts. The 36 jewel movement features a highly efficent 21K gold central rotor which is responsible for keeping the main spring wound.The Caliber 324 movement can be viewed through a sapphire exhibition back (as seen in the photo to the left).
The Patek Philippe Gondolo Calendario Ref. 5135
The ingenious nature of the patented Annual Calendar requires great technical sophistication. Patek Philippe engineers essentially renounced lever mechanisms and rethought the entire structure of the movement. As a result, the Annual Calendar with moon phases works principally with wheels and pinions. So in 1996, Patek Philippe actually triggered a small revolution in the world of the Calendar watch with the introduction of the Annual Calendar. The aim was to create a timepiece less complex to produce and more accessible than a perpetual calendar. In doing so, Patek Philippe signaled it’s intention of enlarging it’s collection of complicated watches and it’s following, by offering alongside these ultra-sophisticated pieces, complications that would be useful in everyday life.
Since 1996, Patek Philippe has gone on to introduce several other incarnations of the Annual Calendar. Patek Philippe launched the Gondolo Calendario Reference 5135. Enthusiasts with a penchant for handsome , exclusive timepieces will appreciate the tonneau-shaped case which houses a new self-winding movement with an arched arrangement of the month, day and date in three apertures, the Caliber 324 S QA LU 24 H. The ingenious construction is a marvel of visual balance. The Patek Philippe Gondolo Calendario Ref. 5135 comes in 18K yellow, white or rose gold as well as platinum. The watch has a sapphire crystal exhibition back through which on can view the movement. This Patek Philippe Gondolo Calendario Ref. 5135 has a pronounced inspired Art Deco look and feel.
In 2005, in response to the Annual calendar’s increasing popularity with women, Patek Philippe presented the first ladies models: Reference 4936 and followed by a haute joaillerie version Reference 4937 in white gold with 427 diamonds.
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Reference 5396R
In 2006, Patek Philippe launched the first Annual Calendar in a Calatrava-style case, the Patek Philippe Reference 5396 with the day and month displayed in twin, inline apertures. The Annual Calendar mechanism has also taken pride in trailblazing models such as the first limited editions in the Patek Philippe Advanced Research concept Reference 5250 and the reference 5350 which featured then Patek Philippe silicon escape wheel and Spiromax balance spring in Silinvar. In 2006, the Annual Calendar was fitted in the ultra-sophisticated Reference 5960P. Long awaited by connoisseurs, this important timepiece is Patek Philippe’s first self-winding chronograph with an Annual Calendar. The Patek Philippe Ref. 5960 is available in platinum or rose gold. Lovers of beautiful watchmaking will truley admire this Annual Calendar-chronograph timepiece.
The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar has become one of Patek Philippe’s leading models.