The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar

Diving into Patek Philippe's rich history of creating iconic and innovative timepieces - in this blog we explore the Annual Calendar complication.

The Creation

Launched in 1996, the patented annual calendar complication has become an icon, remaining an adored and highly desirable Patek Philippe timepiece. In this blog, we discover the origins of the annual calendar and how it has now expanded across the full collection.

The annual calendar was designed to appeal to the new generation of horology aficionados, it offers the wearer a more accessible, innovative, and user-friendly complication.

The mechanism indicates the day of the week, month, and date. What makes the annual calendar so special is that it will automatically adjust the date in sync with the 30 and 31-day months, meaning it requires only one manual adjustment each year at the end of February.

The Creation

Launched in 1996, the patented annual calendar complication has become an icon, remaining an adored and highly desirable Patek Philippe timepiece. In this blog, we discover the origins of the annual calendar and how it has now expanded across the full collection.

The annual calendar was designed to appeal to the new generation of horology aficionados, it offers the wearer a more accessible, innovative, and user-friendly complication.

The mechanism indicates the day of the week, month, and date. What makes the annual calendar so special is that it will automatically adjust the date in sync with the 30 and 31-day months, meaning it requires only one manual adjustment each year at the end of February.

Celebrating 25 Years.....

The patented movement is classified as a “useful complication”. Creating this new innovation sits directly between the simple calendar which requires a date change every month with less than 31 days and the perpetual calendar, which does not require any manual adjustment of the date.

On its launch, Patek Philippe surprised the watch world with its new Caliber 315 S QA – it subsequently went on to gain the award of Swiss “Watch of the Year” due to its ease of use and impressive aesthetics. The original model to carry the new calibre was Ref 5035J, an understated yellow gold timepiece with a white dial and applied Roman numeral appliques. Now, 25 years since its launch, the annual calendar mechanism has evolved into additional pieces across the collection, some have also been combined with chronographs, moon phases, and travel time functions showing the importance of the complication the range.

Celebrating 25 Years.....

The patented movement is classified as a “useful complication”. Creating this new innovation sits directly between the simple calendar which requires a date change every month with less than 31 days and the perpetual calendar, which does not require any manual adjustment of the date.

On its launch, Patek Philippe surprised the watch world with its new Caliber 315 S QA – it subsequently went on to gain the award of Swiss “Watch of the Year” due to its ease of use and impressive aesthetics. The original model to carry the new calibre was Ref 5035J, an understated yellow gold timepiece with a white dial and applied Roman numeral appliques. Now, 25 years since its launch, the annual calendar mechanism has evolved into additional pieces across the collection, some have also been combined with chronographs, moon phases, and travel time functions showing the importance of the complication the range.

An Iconic Milestone

A sign of the annual calendar's popularity, it has remained an integral part of the collection for 25 years. Confirming the manufactures horological prowess and commitment to research and development, continuously pushing the boundaries of creation. Encompassing Patek Philippe’s values perfectly, a significant reason why Patek Philippe is held in such high regard.

An Iconic Milestone

A sign of the annual calendar's popularity, it has remained an integral part of the collection for 25 years. Confirming the manufactures horological prowess and commitment to research and development, continuously pushing the boundaries of creation. Encompassing Patek Philippe’s values perfectly, a significant reason why Patek Philippe is held in such high regard.

Values

INDEPENDENCE, TRADITION, INNOVATION, QUALITY AND FINE WORKMANSHIP, RARITY, VALUE, AESTHETICS, SERVICE, EMOTION, HERITAGE.

Values

INDEPENDENCE, TRADITION, INNOVATION, QUALITY AND FINE WORKMANSHIP, RARITY, VALUE, AESTHETICS, SERVICE, EMOTION, HERITAGE.