STYLE Edit: Which Patek Philippe men’s watch has been the most desired since 1932?
Patek Philippe is not just admired by watch connoisseurs, it is revered. As a luxury watch brand, it has more than just re-sale value, it also has heritage value. There may be a rare occasion when you’ll need to sell your Patek Philippe, such as when you need cash to buy another Patek Philippe, but more likely you will have the pleasure of knowing that it will be passed on through the generations.
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Patek Philippe is, in its own words, “enriching its collection” with a new version of Ref. 5905R, a 42mm self-winding flyback chronograph with annual calendar. This 2019 iteration is in rose gold with a shaded brown sunburst dial and black alligator strap. The day, date and month apertures are in a crescent at the top of the dial with day/night indicator and a 60-minute counter dial at 6 o’clock. The calendar adjusts automatically for 30-day and 31-day months with only an annual correction. There is no seconds dial as a vertical disc clutch means the centre chronograph hand is also a permanently running seconds hand.
Since 1932, the Calatrava has been the most desirable accessory for the well-dressed man. The new Ref 5212A-001, Calatrava Weekly Calendar, is true to its classic elegance but it has a wealth of information on its handsome face. There are several things to note: the movement, calibre 26-330 S C J SE, is introduced; for the first time the case is steel; most importantly, the weekly calendar showing the current week number is a new complication. The opaline dial is laid out in concentric circles, working outward from days of the week, to hour indices, to week numbers to, on the outer periphery, months. It’s busy but beautifully legible.
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Another Patek Philippe name to conjure with is the Nautilus. The Ladies Automatic Nautilus has two new models in rose gold with polished and satin finishes. Refs. 7118/1R-001 and 7118/1R-010 feature date indicator and sweep seconds hand.
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Another ladies’ model, Ref 4978/400G, the Diamond Ribbon Joaillerie with its wonderful spiral of graduated diamonds, is now in a larger 36.5mm case in white gold. Dial, bezel, lugs, crown and buckle of this ultra-thin watch are set with 770 diamonds, around 4.4 ct. The blued numerals and hands are matched with an alligator band in dusk blue.
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Patek Philippe is ‘enriching its collection’ with new versions of its gorgeous watches, including one that is said to have been the most desirable men’s watch since 1932