Description
The calendar complication is perhaps where Patek Philippe’s technical expertise and aesthetic refinement are expressed at their finest. Long a master in the art of calendar watches—whether complete, perpetual, or annual—the Geneva manufacture obtained the patent for an annual calendar relatively recently, in 1996. That new Patek Philippe timepiece was a simplified version of the already famous perpetual calendar. While the latter, also patented by Patek Philippe in 1889, requires no adjustment until 2100, an annual calendar needs a single correction each year, in February. This is because an annual calendar watch displays the date for months of 30 and 31 days, whereas a perpetual calendar accounts for the number of days in every month, including leap years.
Since its debut, the annual calendar has become one of the most popular models in Patek Philippe’s catalogue, and among the watches featuring this complication, the Ref. 5036 is one of the most sought-after. The white gold version presented here, dating to 2002, features an information-rich yet well-balanced dial: the month is displayed at 2 o’clock; the moon phases and date aperture at 6 o’clock; the day of the week at 9 o’clock; and the power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock. Roman numeral hour markers add a classic touch to the overall aesthetic.
The 36 mm case houses the automatic Calibre 315/199 with 37 jewels, beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offering a 42-hour power reserve. A distinctive design feature of the Ref. 5036 is its five-row metal bracelet in place of a leather strap—here executed in white gold to match the case. The watch is in excellent overall condition and is offered as a full set.