Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 5146G

Details

This watch is in exellent condition, with some light marks on the case and lugs.

Comes in original box with ang tag and documents. Guarantee card present and dated.

Although seemingly less complicated than the perpetual calendar, the annual calendar is actually a much later invention. First produced by Patek Philippe in 1996, it actually had more parts than one of the company's perpetual calendars. This was because it used a less elegant (yet easier to implement) system of stacked gear wheels rather than a complicated and difficult to produce cam and lever.

PATEK PHILIPPE

To many, Patek Philippe is the epitome of the high-end watchmaker. Throughout its nearly two centuries' of existence, it has weathered everything from the World Wars to the Quartz Crisis of the 1980s. Even today, it's widely acknowledged to be amongst the most successful and prestigious watchmakers, with its creations gracing wrists of everyone from bankers and politicians to rappers and actors.

Patek Philippe began its life as Patek, Czapek & Cie. in 1839 and made its name by making some of the most accurate watch movements. By the turn of the century, Patek was venturing into the realm of high complications, including split-seconds chronographs, perpetual calendars, and minute repeaters. The latter made it into wristwatch-form in 1924 as a piece unique for Ralph Teetor, the inventor of the cruise control function.

In 1932, the company ownership changed hands to the Stern family, who still run Patek Philippe. In that same year, the Calatrava wristwatch was introduced. By the 1970s, seeing the damage which the Quartz Crisis had done to the industry, Patek Philippe decided to introduce a bold new steel watch. Thus, the Nautilus was born.

Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, solidifying its reputation as one of the finest Swiss watchmakers. From the highly-desirable stainless steel sports watches, to the famed high complications, down to the 'humble' Calatrava, Patek Philippe proves that it can do it all.