Following Nautilus, Patek Philippe introduces 2021 new products. The first is the perpetual calendar, which is inextricably linked with Patek Philippe. When Patek Philippe introduced the first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925, it has solved this fascinating complication in many ways. However, it seems that even replica Patek Philippe found it difficult to display the date, day and month in a row. Patek Philippe explains that it took several years to obtain three patents and develop a new self-winding movement.

patek philippe
The idea came from the 1972 perpetual calendar pocket watch No.P-1450. Although the concept of a single-line calendar display is similar, there are distinct differences. Where the pocket fake watches, the source of inspiration, displayed the date on one disk, the new in-line perpetual calendar splits the date into two disks, for a total of seven disks. It’s easy to guess that the latter is a much more complex approach.
The in-line perpetual calendar Ref. opens a new chapter in the Patek Philippe perpetual calendar. 5236P-001 wears an elegant platinum overcoat. The polished case has a diameter of 41.3mm and a thickness of 11.5mm, which is slightly larger than other perpetual calendar models currently on the market. This is presumably to ensure sufficient space for 4 disks. Also, I think we would have considered the size of the window as the calendar display could be uncomfortable for users if it was too small. The diamond, which stands for Platinum Case, is hidden between the lugs on the bottom of the watch. The short, sleek lugs are the company’s annual calendar regulator Ref. 5235, extended to vintage Ref. It looks similar to that of the 3448. Water resistance is 30m. Finished with a navy blue crocodile leather strap and folding buckle.
The blue dial, which is finished in satin with vertical grain, has a gradation effect that darkens towards the outside. Although the amount of information such as time, date, day of the week, month, leap year, moon phase, and day/night indicator is large, it does not look cluttered, but delivers a sense of stability with perfect symmetry and order. This is also Patek Philippe’s organ. Various functions can be easily adjusted by the user using the corrector on the side of the case.
The new engine, the self-winding caliber 31-260 PS QL, features the annual calendar Ref. It appears to be a modification of the caliber 31-260 REG QA mounted on the 5235. The bridge was boldly divided to make it more elegant and beautiful. The frequency was also increased from 23,040 vph per hour to 28,800 vph (4 Hz) to increase stability. The rotor was replaced with platinum from a gold rotor to improve winding efficiency. The power reserve ranges from 38 hours up to 48 hours.
The movement with a complex structure that used 118 more parts than a typical perpetual calendar module received three patents. The first is the Coplanar double ball bearings system. More discs and more parts means more friction and more power required. Patek Philippe claims to reduce energy loss by eliminating friction with ball bearings. The second is an anti-shock system that prevents the disc from pointing two spaces over by an external impact and pointing to the wrong date. The last corresponds to the technique of fixing the single-digit disk as the date passes from the 31st to the 1st.
In-line perpetual calendar Ref. The price of 5236P-001 is 110,000 Swiss Francs.