The perpetual calendar has long been a complication offered by the prestigious Swiss manufacturer Patek Philippe - first in pocket watches and later in wristwatch form by the early 20th century. In 1925, Patek produced watch number 97975, their first known perpetual calendar wristwatch made with a lady’s pendant watch movement and encased in yellow gold. While this timepiece has resembled more closely a pocket watch, the complicated, ultra-thin, and miniaturized mechanism within demonstrated their superior workmanship, and Patek Philippe’s drive to bring innovation to wristwatches. Their first serially produced perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phase, the reference 1526 was launched in 1941 and was the world’s first. It remained in production until 1952, and since that time has spawned an exceptional line of iconic perpetual calendar wristwatches known for both for their classic designs and outstanding movements, including the famed automatic references 3448, 3450, and 3940.

Inspired by their historical past, the reference 5496P was launched at Baselworld in 2011 replacing the reference 5050 - Patek Philippe’s first retrograde perpetual calendar wristwatch produced from 1992 to 2002. The dial has an appealing aesthetic with the typical subsidiary dials replaced by day and month apertures at 3 and 9 o’clock, and the center of the dial with arced date track and retrograding hand. With a leap year indicator at 12 o’clock, and moon phase at 6 o’clock, the dial’s presentation of all date indications is both highly legible and an aesthetic delight. The round case is based on the original Calatrava from the 1930s – Patek Philippe’s most iconic and well-known model.

The present factory sealed example is fresh-to-the-market, consigned by the original owner, and is a lovely addition to the world of complicated timepieces complete with original papers and presentation box.

Consigned by the Original Owner