Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph, 5960P-001, Platinum

Released in 2006, the reference 5960 represents the first instance of Patek Philippe’s marrying its annual calendar complication with a flyback chronograph. The annual calendar is a complication the brand pioneered in 1996, intended as a more accessible entry point into the world of calendar complications.

This example, cased in platinum, with a sunburst, anthracite dial, was first sold in 2007. While it features all the classical elements that typify the brand – a refined platinum case, a restrained dial colour and ‘tasti tondi’-style pushers – it also features details that give it a distinctly youthful, sporty edge. The bright red and navy-blue of the subsidiary chronograph register at 6 o’clock are examples of this. In this particular guise, the reference 5960 straddles the worlds of tradition and modernity effortlessly. Despite being a complicated reference, housed in a platinum case, it also represents a rare instance of considerable value in the world of Patek Philippe.

The 40.5mm platinum case features a convex, high-polished bezels that rises up to the sapphire crystal. The case is 13.7mm thick and on the left-hand side the flank features three correctors to adjust the annual calendar complication. On the right-hand side of the case are the pushers that operate the flyback chronograph as well as the signed crown. On closer inspection, the case reveals a flawless, Top Wesselton diamond in between the lugs at the 6 o’clock position, as has been customary for platinum-case watches produced by the brand to wear since the turn of the century. It serves as a seldom-seen detail as well as a way to distinguish platinum cases from other white metal ones, such as ones crafted from white gold.

The anthracite, sunburst dial is visually interesting, even when considered without the array of complications on display. It features a white, printed chapter of seconds and minutes as well as applied, faceted indices for the hours of the day. Corresponding to them are luminous plots of a matching shade to the material used in the leaf-style hour and minutes hands. The day, date and month are displayed through three dedicated apertures between the 10 and 2 o’clock positions. The date aperture is specially framed to draw the eye, an acknowledgement that it is the complication the wearer will refer to on a daily basis. Just below this aperture is a simple power reserve indicator.

The chronograph seconds hand is centrally mounted while the minutes and hours are co-axially mounted, the information they display consolidated in the subsidiary register. Also housed within this register is a circular window that displays the day and night with a bi-colour disk. The judicious arrangement of dial furniture gives the face a distinctly uncluttered appearance, despite it expressing six complications.

The exhibition caseback showcases the calibre CH 28-520 IRM QA 24H, the brand’s first in-house self-winding chronograph calibre, that also debuted in 2006. It features 40 jewels, a vertical clutch flyback column-wheel chronograph and a unidirectional 21k yellow gold rotor. The movement is exquisitely finished in a range of finishings and wears the Geneva seal. The watch comes on a brown leather strap with a platinum deployant clasp from the brand.

This example comes complete with its box, manuals, Certificate of Origin as well as service records from 2018.

Closer look

Condition

This Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph is in very good condition throughout. Light superficial marks are found throughout the case and lugs, and more specifically some small dings located on upper edge of the lower right lug, the flat portion of the bezel surrounding the crystal between 1 and 2 o'clock and the outer edge of the top right lug. The dial, hands and movement are free from any imperfections. The hallmarks on the reverse of the lugs are crisp and well defined. The watch was serviced by Patek Philippe in 2018.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.