Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph, 5960-010, Stainless Steel

Released in 2006, the reference 5960 represents the first instance of Patek Philippe’s marrying its annual calendar complication with a flyback chronograph, with the convenience of a self-winding calibre. The annual calendar is a complication the brand pioneered in 1996, intended as a more accessible entry point into the world of calendar complications. In 2014, the brand introduced the most eagerly anticipated iteration of this reference – the stainless-steel 5960-1A.

The 5960-1A/010 features perhaps the most desirable configuration of the reference with its rich, black dial paired with matching calendar wheels. While the refined case and ‘tasti tondi’-style pump pushers are decidedly classical, the overall appearance – thanks to the single-register chronograph and the modern font on the scales and bright chronograph hands – gives the watch a distinctly modern and sporty edge.

The 40.5mm stainless-steel case features a convex, high-polished bezel 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.

The black dial is visually interesting, even when considered without the complications on display. On the outer reaches is an off-white chapter for the chronograph seconds. The hours are denoted by faceted indices, with corresponding square luminous markers for readability in the dark. The pencil-style hour and minutes are also filled with luminous material to the same end.

The day, date and month are displayed through three dedicated apertures between the 10 and 2 o’clock positions. They are plied by black wheels with white printed markings. Just below the date aperture is the power reserve indicator.

The red chronograph seconds hand is centrally and co-axially mounted with the minutes and hours indicators. The elapsed minutes and 12 hours are registered in the single chronograph register. Two hands, mounted co-axially, display these two units of time on concentric scales. The red hand indicates the elapsed minutes while a longer, white hand displays the hours the chronograph has been running. The scale for the elapsed hours is sector style and off-white, while the elapsed minutes are printed in white for legibility. Also housed within this register is a circular window that displays the day and night with a bi-colour disk. Consolidating this information in one register gives the 5960 its signature clean dial appearance, despite it expressing as many as six complications.

Adding to the sportiness of the aesthetic is the robust brick-style stainless-steel bracelet. The short links make the bracelet drape comfortably on a variety of wrist sizes. The bracelet is secured by a signed double deployant clasp with a secondary safety catch engraved with the Calatrava cross.

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 Patek Philippe seal.

This complete example comes with its outer and inner boxes, user manuals and certificate of origin from 2018. The 5960-1A/010, with a black dial and stainless-steel case and bracelet, is a distinctly contemporary expression of the long-standing Patek Philippe tradition of melding calendar and chronograph complications.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph will be subject to 20% VAT

Closer look

Condition

This Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph 5960-001 is in excellent overall condition. Light superficial marks are found throughout the case and bracelet, though only on the very surface of the material. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections and have been well preserved.

Warranty

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