Perpetual calendar wristwatches have always been embedded in the much respected heritage of Patek Philippe since their innovation of the world’s very first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch in the early 1960s via the coveted ref. 3448. Replaced by the ref. 3940 in 1986, the new reference was a completely new wristwatch and was not just an upgrade. Featuring a classy Calatrava style case, differing from its previous Padellone style, the dial layout is also different as it features for the first time a leap year indicator with three subsidiary dials instead of apertures. Extremely successful and well-received, the reference went on to enjoy a long production run spanning 21 years.

In 2006, Patek Philippe replaced the ref. 3940 with the upgraded ref. 5140. With a case and dial that pays extreme resemblance to its previous reference, the ref. 5140 featured a slightly larger case at 37mm diameter as well as a larger date ring to increase the legibility of the dial. The present example from circa 2007 in 18K white gold with an attractive opaline silvery dial, it is further accompanied by its full set of accessories including its additional solid caseback, setting pin and winding box. Undervalued and elegant, the ref. 5140 is a great timepiece to sport every day.