Category: patek philippe

Buying Guide – 5 of the Best Luxury-Sports Watches Launched in 2017

All of you here might know the story behind the creation of the “Luxury-Sports Watch”, a long-lasting trend that started back in 1972 when a certain Gerald Genta designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The idea began with a thin, integrated watch in stainless steel, featuring attributes from haute-Horlogerie and sports-watches, and priced over most of the gold watches at that time… Who could have imagined, back in the 1970s, that these watches could become so popular today? Well, as a demonstration that the Luxury-Sports Watch is fully alive, here are 5 of them, all introduced in 2017.

8 years ago

Buying Guide – 6 Great Annual Calendar Watches From Establishes Manufactures

Calendar watches come in a wide variety. Most of them are based on 31-day cycles and require a regular adjustment (5 times a year) to ensure that the correct date is displayed. An annual calendar automatically adjusts the indicated date, mechanically configured to display the different lengths of the months, and they require to be corrected manually only once a year (in the worst case depending on its mechanism). Typically more accessible than the perpetual calendar (which also takes into account leap years) and infinitely more useful than a standard calendar, the annual calendar offers a lot of bang for the buck.

8 years ago

Buying Guide – 6 Great Annual Calendar Watches From Established Manufactures

Calendar watches come in a wide variety. Most of them are based on 31-day cycles and require a regular adjustment (5 times a year) to ensure that the correct date is displayed. An annual calendar automatically adjusts the indicated date, mechanically configured to display the different lengths of the months, and they require to be corrected manually only once a year (in the worst case depending on its mechanism). Typically more accessible than the perpetual calendar (which also takes into account leap years) and infinitely more useful than a standard calendar, the annual calendar offers a lot of bang for the buck.

8 years ago

Review – The Patek Philippe 5320g Perpetual Calendar, and The Inspirations Behind This Vintage-Inspired Piece

At Baselworld this year, Patek Philippe introduced again a surprising watch, a piece with a unique look and a clear vintage inspiration – without mentioning a case to die for. For a few years now, Patek has accustomed us with a certain creativity, with watches that go out of the brand’s comfort zone (see for instance the controversial Calatrava Pilot 5524 or the Annual Calendar 5960A in steel). The 5320g Perpetual Calendar is amongst these special watches, even if here, it prompted a unanimously positive response. Today, we take a closer look at this vintage/military-inspired piece and also to the different watches that inspired its creation.

8 years ago

NEWS – Christie’s Sells the Unique Patek Philippe 5208T Only Watch 2017 for CHF 6,2 Million

After the record-breaker that was the unique Patek Philippe 5016a for Only Watch 2015, sold for an astonishing CHF 7.3 Million – at that time, before the Steel Patek 1518 and Paul Newman’s Paul Newman, the most expensive wristwatch ever – today was another potential record-watch for sale, the unique titanium, Minute Repeater, Chronograph, Perpetual Calendar Patek Philippe 5208T made for Only Watch 2017. The hammer talked a few minutes ago: CHF 6.2 Million. Not a record itself, but still again an impressive amount.

8 years ago

Review – Patek Philippe Advanced Research Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5650G (And History of the Advanced Research Program)

Earlier this year, Patek Philippe unveiled the limited-edition Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5650G, featuring the latest technology developed by its Advanced Research program. With its unusual aesthetics and impressive technological advances, it quickly became one of the most talked about watches at Baselworld. Today, we’re going hands-on with this incredible timepiece to learn more about what Patek Philippe is calling ‘two important innovations in the field of horological design’ and to see just how practical the watch is for everyday wear and use.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Patek Philippe Chronograph Annual Calendar 5960/01g – Patek, With a Vintage Touch…

For a few years now, Patek Philippe is applying a rather surprising strategy, by offering a new, younger approach. Sometimes vintage, sometimes modern, sometimes quite difficult to understand, sometimes controversial… Everything started back in 2014 with the modern-looking stainless steel 5960/1A, followed later in 2015 with the launch of the Calatrava Travel Time Pilot 5524G, a vintage-inspired watch, drastically different from the traditional conservative Patek collections. And if you mix these two watches, you’ll obtain the 2017 Patek Philippe Chronograph Annual Calendar 5960/01g.

8 years ago

History of the Patek Philippe Calatrava Part 3 – Major Modern Models

Today we conclude our three-part series on the Patek Philippe Calatrava with a look at the present-day models currently available from the brand. After reading Part. 1 (focussing on the very first model of the collection, the reference 96) and Part. 2 (the most important vintage models), I’m sure you will agree that the humble Calatrava is one of the most iconic dress watches of all time and has played a significant role in shaping the entire dress watch category. Incredibly, its underlying design has remained largely unchanged since its introduction in 1932, some 85 years ago. While it’s true we’ve seen many variations over the years, the fundamentals have always remained the same, which is great news for vintage enthusiasts and new buyers alike.

8 years ago