The patented Annual Calendar was launched in 1996 and has been a great success story for the Manufacture for almost 25 years. Designed to appeal to a new generation of watch-lovers, the patented Annual Calendar mechanism offered a more accessible, innovative and user-friendly complication.
This ingenious mechanism has emerged as one of the Manufacture's flagship models. The complication indicates the date for months of 30 and 31 days and needs only one correction per year – from February 28 or 29 to March 1.
The Manufacture's patented Annual Calendar belongs to the family of 'useful complications'. It sits between the plain calendar, which needs adjusting five times a year for months of less than 31 days, and the perpetual calendar, which requires no adjustment whatsoever. This mechanism needs re-setting just once a year, at the end of February.
In the Spring of 1996, Patek Philippe created some commotion by launching a new complication, the Annual Calendar. The newcomer was subsequently crowned Swiss 'Watch of the Year' in the year of its launch. Alongside its aesthetic and technical qualities, the Annual Calendar offered a complication that was considered 'useful,' easy to use, and entirely new to the watchmaking world.
The Caliber 315 S QA mechanism was first presented within Ref. 5035 in yellow gold. The collection has evolved with the addition of new models and the combination of the Annual Calendar function with other complications.
From 2005 to 2008, the Annual Calendar mechanism was featured in three Patek Philippe Advanced Research timepieces, featuring some ground-breaking new technological innovations.
The dedicated Advanced Research department was created to focus exclusively on exploring and developing new technologies and materials; it underlines the company’s continued commitment to technological advances in horology.
Patek Philippe Advanced Research Annual Calendar Ref. 5250
Launched in 2005, Ref. 5250 in white gold was the first Advanced Research limited edition model.
The 100-piece limited edition introduced a revolutionary silicon-based escape wheel for a Swiss lever escapement, presented with caliber 315 S IRM QA LU SI®.
Patek Philippe Advanced Research Annual Calendar Ref. 5350
In 2006, Patek Philippe launched the second limited edition “Advanced Research” timepiece, the Annual Calendar, Ref. 5350, in rose gold.
The watch used the new Spiromax® balance spring in Silinvar® and was produced in a limited edition of 300 pieces. It featured the caliber 324 S IRM QA LU self-winding movement with Annual Calendar, moon phases, and power-reserve indicator.
Patek Philippe Advanced Research Annual Calendar Ref. 5450
The references 5250 and 5350 were followed in 2008 with Ref. 5450, a limited edition of 300 timepieces in platinum.
The self-winding caliber 324 S QA IRM LU movement featured the new Pulsomax® silicon-based escapement (escape wheel and lever) in Silinvar®, with moon phase and power-reserve indicator.
Testament to the popularity of this most useful complication, the Annual Calendar has been integral to the Patek Philippe collection for over 20 years. The collection offers an array of different displays and nuances of style - always combining elegant lines, superb materials and exquisite attention to finish.
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