Already another incredible year for Patek Philippe at Baselworld. This time the brand presents less novelties than the previous year but all charged with a punch. To start with our reporting straight from Baselworld 2018, let's focus on one of our favorite pieces so far. Patek presents the first grand complication in the Nautilus line, showcasing an analog perpetual calendar in a unique combination of casual sportiness and technical finesse, robustness and high-end watchmaking artistry, endowed with the discreet elegance of a 40 mm 18K white gold case and the utility of a calendar that automatically recognizes the number of days in each month, including the periodically recurring 29th of February.
About the Watch
The characteristic design of the bezel is emphasized by vertically satin finished surfaces that contrast against polished chamfers. The dial is decorated with raised horizontal embossing and features the same sunburst blue that graced the versions released on theoccasion of the 40th anniversary of the Nautilus in 2016. The three subsidiary dials of the perpetual calendar with analog displays —day of the week and 24-hour dial at 9 o'clock, month and leap year at 3 o'clock, date and moon phases at 6 o'clock— are harmoniously integrated in the subtly rounded octagon of the dial. A refined detail: the subdial for the date, the most important calendar indication, is slightly larger than the two others. The 24-hour display simplifies calendar settings. The moonphase display is extremely precise. It is controlled by a mechanism that deviates from the actual position of the moon by merely one day every 122 years.
The correctors of the perpetual calendar —day correction at 9 o'clock, date correction between 11 and 12 o'clock, month correction between 12 and 1 o’clock, moon-phase correction at 6 o'clock—were optimally positioned with an ingenious system of deflection mechanisms and seamlessly integrated in the Nautiluscase design.
The white gold bracelet, also integrated in the case, echoes the finissage of the case and bezel,
alternating polished central links with satin-finished lateral links. To improve wearing comfort, Patek Philippe has introduced a totally new, patented fold-over clasp. It features four independent catches to optimize opening and closing and to prevent the unintended release of either of the two clasp segments.
Thanks to the famous ultra-thin automatic calibre 240, a recessed 22K gold minirotor and a particularly slender calendar module, the case is only 8.32 mm thick and the watch is water resistant to 60 meters. This is in fact, Patek Philippe’s thinnest perpetual calendar. The architecture of the movement and its refined finissage, including the bridges with chamfered and polished edges as well as the Calatrava cross engraving on the winding rotor, can be admired through the sapphire crystal display back. The movement provides a power reserve of 48 hours when fully wound.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the new Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5470/1G is pure fire and a watch that wears true to its size. An incredibly long awaited complication for the Nautilus line and a perfect execution by Patek Philippe. The proportions of the watch are flawless and the watch is very comfortable despite its solid gold case with a total weight of 206 grams —similar weight to an AP Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin in gold. The blue dial is a true chameleon depending on lighting conditions as you will see in the pictures below.
Sticker Price $119,073 USD. For more info on Patek Philippe click here.
