No doubt that Patek’s white-dialed Jumbo Nautilus (Ref 5711) that I showed you in March has been a hit this year with enthusiasts. But if you desire something a bit more complicated than a basic 3-hander, consider the Nautilus Ref 5726. While annual calendars have been a popular complication of major luxury watchmakers for the last two years, this year’s Nautlius Ref 5726 by Patek Philippe is perhaps my favorite. With a steel case and a sleek steel-bracelet, the Patek Philippe Reference 5726/1A Nautilus Annual Calendar comes in your choice of black or white dial. Speaking of dials, the Ref 5276 has a superbly designed dial: the day of the week and month are displayed below 12 o’clock in twin in-line apertures; the moon-phase and 24-hour indicators are combined in a subdial and overlap the date window at 6 o’clock; black-lined hands and hour markers are luminescent. There is also the Nautilus hallmark horizontal embossed dial pattern. The Patek Nautilus Ref 5726 is priced at $47,600 — about $20,000 more than the basic 3-handed Nautilus Ref 5711. Pricey? Yes. But still a big step down from a Patek’s perpetual calendars which will set you back $100,000+. This Patek Ref 5726 is a beautiful watch.
Patek Philippe Ref. 5726 Nautilus Annual Calendar
40.5mm steel case (11.27mm thick), sapphire crystal front/back; on stainless steel bracelet with Nautilus clasp
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds; annual calendar with day of the week, month, and date; moon-phase indication; 24-hour time indication
Patek Philippe Manufacture Caliber 324 S QA LU 24H
automatic; diameter = 36 mm; thickness = 5.78 mm; 347 parts; 34 jewels; 10 bridges Gyromax balance; 28,800 vph; Spiromax balance spring; central winding rotor in 21K gold, unidirectional winding; 45-hour power reserve; Patek Philippe Seal
Did You Know?
Annual vs. Perpetual Calendar: An annual calendar differs from a perpetual calendar in that it compensates for the length of every month except February, after which the date will need to be reset, whereas a perpetual calendar adjusts for the length of all 12 months, including leap-year Februaries. Annual calendars are thus slightly less complicated — more affordable — than perpetual calendars.
