Annual Calendar

Overall Condition: Excellent condition overall. Case shows only faint signs of wear consistent with gentle use and handling. Dial and handset are in excellent condition. Factory strap and deployant shows only light wear.

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, the world’s first-ever annual calendar movement that finally bridged the gap between a triple date function and the formidable quantième perpétuel.

This piece, a handsome modern interpretation of the Patek Philippe Complications Annual Calendar, transports us forward to today. A Reference 5396R-011, this lovely timepiece features a 38.5mm 18K rose gold case with sculpted, contoured lugs, a concave bezel, and polished finishing.

The matte silver dial is a picture of economy, with applied rose gold indices, a matching ‘dauphine’ handset, and displays for the day, date, and month punctuated by a beautiful moon phase/24-hour display above 6 o’clock that also doubles as the watch’s running seconds indicator.

The reverse side of the case features an exhibition back providing a window to admire the self-winding Caliber 324 S QA LU, whose mesmerizing 21K gold winding rotor is adorned with the hallmark Patek Philippe seal. Fitted to a signed, brown 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 continues to demand the attention of any savvy collector. But let us not forget the high-complication heavy-hitters such as this, hiding in plain sight in Patek’s modern catalog!