The Patek Philippe reference 5960 was introduced in 2006 as the first model that features the combination of the firm’s inaugural in-house self-winding chronograph and the annual calendar complication. Originally launched as a platinum sports watch with a grey dial, the reference was later released in a few variants with pink and white gold. In 2014, the firm released a stainless steel variant offering the firm’s signature rice bead bracelet fitted with a warm white dial with strong black accents, giving the reference a refreshed contemporary appeal. The present reference 5690/1A-010 with black dial was unveiled in 2017, and it is among the most coveted models that was only produced for a year.

The irresistible dial design of the reference 5960 accentuates the sports chic look of the timepiece, the calendar windows are set against the upper rim of the dial between 10 to 2 o’clock, displaying day of the week, date and month, unifying the three traditionally separated calendar counters into one fan-shaped formation. The black discs for the calendar display are a pleasing touch that allows that the apertures to sink nicely into the ebony black base. Fusing form and function, the watch features a power reserve indicator above the firm’s signature and the beautifully designed chronograph mono-subdial counters, with day and night indication, on the bottom half of the dial.

Flip the watch over and one is invited to admire the in-house automatic calibre CH 28-520 IRM QA 24H in action through the sapphire caseback. It is a flyback column-wheel chronograph movement fitted with a unidirectional 21K gold rotor, delivering a frequency of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour. It boasts a remarkable technical innovation which enables the clamps to act on a disk clutch that transmits or interrupts the power between the fourth wheel and the chronograph hand, thus making it possible to use the chronograph hand as a continuously running seconds hand without affecting the watch’s accuracy. For this reason, the subsidiary seconds dial traditionally found on the classic Patek Philippe column-wheel chronographs is not needed.

The present example appears to be fresh-to-the-market. Presented in exceptional overall condition, and offered with its full set of original accessories by the original owner, the present lot is the perfect addition to the collection of any modern connoisseur.