Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Flyback Chronograph

In 1996, Patek Philippe made one of its most brilliant strategic moves— the introduction and development of the Annual Calendar complication. Patek recognized a gap in offerings between the simple and (relatively) accessible Calatrava classic dress watches andthe complicated, and in turn, highly expensive, Grand Complications. The so-called "Annual Calendar" bridged the gap between these two price points, offering a natural progression for collectors looking to access a Patek complication at a more accessible price point. The Annual Calendar needs adjusting just once per year. This change enables the movement to be far more economical to produce, easier to service, and more affordable to purchase.

The inaugural Reference 5035 Annual Calendar of 1996 was a tremendous success, and ever since, Patek's Annual Calendars have been a popular favorite. Annual Calendars from Patek represent the bread and butter of the brand— perfectly executed, complicated dress watches.

In 2006, Patek Philippe introduced the Reference 5960P, a platinum annual calendar featuring a flyback chronograph. Distinguished from the other annual calendars because of its decidedly sporty look, the 5960 stood out from the crowd. It wasn't only noteworthy for the flyback; however, it also featured a modern annual calendar layout. Instead of displaying the annual calendar in subsidiary dials, Patek instead used aperture displays. While apertures havebeen used by Patek throughout history (as seen in the Reference 3448 perpetual calendar, for example), they are usually displayed in-line. For the 5960, Patek instead made vaulted, framed apertures that follow the curve of the case. This gave the annual calendar atruly modern look and breathed new life into the collection. It's not for everyone, but it's an entirely new look.

This particular Reference 5960P-001 is crafted in platinum, featuring an anthracite dial and red accents. The calendar complications and powerreserve are positioned at the top of the dial, while the minute and hour totalizers are located at 6 o'clock within a single oversized sub-register. A day/night indicator is easy to miss within the subdial. The case is topped with a sapphire crystal.

Several other stylistic choices were made with the 5960 that distinguished it from previous references. Unlike the 5035 and 5146 annual calendars, the 5960 features a concave bezel that helps reinforce its modern look. Additionally, the 5960 was sized at a comfortable 40.5mm—a sporty size for a Patek complication, but one that suits the rest of the watch's look. The 5960 is finished with a signed crown and engraved pump pushers.

The aesthetics of this piece are classic and modern all at the same time. The 5960 is one of the most beloved modern Patek Philippe references and a great starting point for those interested in complicated watches, particularlysports watch enthusiasts. Rip off the bandaid with the 5960 and then go full send on a 3940.

You'll thank us later.