Introducing The Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce Annual Calendar 5261R

Patek Philippe’s patented annual calendar mechanism (1996) debuts inside an Aquanaut mannequin for 2023. Introduced in a unisex 39.9mm rose gold case with a bluish-grey dial, the annual calendar brings a helpful and easy-to-use complication to the Aquanaut household. A brand new automated motion with an inverted annual calendar module powers the Aquanaut Luce Annual Calendar.

In 1997, Patek Philippe launched its sporty stylish Aquanaut, practically twenty years after the debut of its iconic Nautilus luxurious metal sports activities watch. With its rounded octagonal case, clearly impressed by that of the Nautilus, and tropical composite strap, the extra trendy spirit of the Aquanaut was out to seize a brand new, youthful viewers. The Aquanaut Luce, a girls’ model of the watch, joined {the catalogue} in 2004. Forgive us for differing, however though the model catalogues this new mannequin as a girls’ watch, we predict it really works exceptionally effectively as a gent’s watch.

Patek’s annual calendar mechanism appeared in 1996 and has been fitted inside numerous fashions independently or mixed with different issues. As a part of the model’s household of ‘helpful issues’, an annual calendar sits between a plain calendar, which wants adjusting 5 instances a yr for months with lower than 31 days, and the perpetual calendar, which requires no adjustment. An annual calendar can compute the date for months of 30 and 31 days and requires just one correction per yr on the finish of February.

The case of the Aquanaut is crafted in 18k rose gold; it has a diameter of 39.9mm (from 10 to 4 o’clock), a thickness of 10.94mm and a lug-to-lug distance of 47.35mm. To stress the form of the signature rounded octagonal bezel, it’s adorned with a vertical satin-brushed end and a large polished bevel, finishings which might be replicated all through the case. Flat sapphire crystals are fitted over the dial and screw-down caseback, and the Aquanaut’s hallmark crown guards flank the crown at 3 o’clock. Nevertheless, due to the complication it homes, and the 4 recessed pushers within the caseband to regulate the calendar, the water-resistance of this mannequin is lowered to 30 metres.

A sexy tone of blue, bordering on gray, is used for the dial embossed with the grid-like Aquanaut sample that’s echoed on the composite strap. Because the annual calendar module has been inverted, the show of the features is totally different from different Patek annual calendar fashions. The date is displayed in an aperture at 6 o’clock, the moon phases seem at midday, and the month and day of the week are in two round counters displayed horizontally throughout the dial’s centre.

The utilized rose gold Arabic numerals for the hours, the baton-style hour and minute fingers and the five-minute plots on the peripheral minute observe are handled with white luminescent coating for enhanced legibility.

The brand new automated motion with a 21k gold central rotor – calibre 26-330 S QA LU – is predicated on the calibre 26-330 launched in 2019 within the Calatrava Weekly Calendar (ref. 5212A) fitted with the annual calendar module with moon phases. Geared up with Patek’s patented Gryromax stability and a Spiromax stability spring, the frequency is 28,800vph, and the facility reserve oscillates between a minimal of 35 hours and a most of 45 hours. The motion additionally options stop-seconds performance to set the time to the closest second. Adorned to Patek Philippe Seal requirements, the refined finishings could be appreciated via the sapphire caseback.

The composite greyish-blue Aquanaut strap is proof against salt water and ultraviolet rays and is fitted with a patented foldover clasp with 4 unbiased catches.

The Ref. 5261R-001 Aquanaut Luce Annual Calendar retails for EUR 61,000. For extra info, please seek the advice of patek.com.