The Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5270 was originally launched at Baselworld 2011 to replace the iconic Patek reference 5970. While the newer reference 5270 includes a bigger case measuring now 41 mm vs. 39 mm on the ref. 5970, an in-house movement instead of the Lemania 2310-based CH27 calibre on ref. 5970, there are also some nuances on its dial when compared to its predecessor. The Patek Philippe ref. 5270 is without a doubt the quintessential Perpetual Calendar Chronograph and one of the most coveted references among Patek collectors. Available in 18K white gold —with silvery opaline dial or blue sunburst dial— and in 18K rose gold with silvery opaline dial or black dial, the 5270P with salmon colored dial is a latest iteration of this watch just released at Baselworld 2018.
The Dial
The salmon colored dial on the new Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5270P is stunning in the metal. Salmon colored dials are not only very unique and rare, but also difficult to produce due to its unique hue. Featuring day and month in two side-by-side apertures at 12 o'clock, a date indicator with an integrated moon phase display at 6 o'clock, a running seconds subdial at 9 o'clock and a 30-minute chrono register at 3 o'clock, the dial is simply perfect and not busy at all. For more than 70 years, this has been the classic layout of Patek Philippe's perpetual calendars with chronograph mechanisms first launched in 1941.
Additionally, the running seconds subdial and the 30-minute chrono register are positioned beneath the horizontal center line that is drawn by the central hands pinion, and two small, round apertures between the date and the subsidiary dials accommodate the day/night indication —with dark blue and white— on the left. A useful leap-year indicator with numbers from one thru four is located between four and five o'clock.
The Case
The 41 mm case in 950 platinum, features the stepped lugs and the chronograph pushers in the traditional rectangular shape with rounded finish. The case features a highly polished finish and only the top and bottom of the pushers feature a nice satin-brushed finish. To maintain the case band design intact and unmolested, Patek Philippe decided to include the correctors for the perpetual calendar well hidden in between the lugs. Kudos to Patek for thinking of this in order to make the case band perfectly flawless.
The Movement
Powering the new Patek Philippe ref. 5270P in platinum with salmon dial is the manual wound Patek Philippe chronograph calibre with perpetual calendar CH 29-535 PS Q. This movement composed of 456 parts and 33 jewels provides a power reserve of 65 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph. Thanks to a group of six patent-pending inventions, this calibre is decidedly the most advanced of all traditional chronograph movements. This amazing chronograph with column wheel control and a horizontal clutch was entirely developed and crafted in-house. Just like all other 5270s, the new Patek Philippe ref. 5270P with Salmon Dial comes with an interchangeable solid case back and a sapphire-crystal case back.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the Patek Philippe ref. 5270P in platinum with salmon colored dial wears like any watch grail does, simply flawlessly. The watch wears true to its size and when it comes to grail watches, the Patek Philippe ref. 5270P ticks every single box. There are watches and then there's the Patek Philippe ref. 5270.
Sticker Price $187,110 USD. For more info on Patek Philippe click here.
