Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Moon Phase

In 1991, the soon-to-be graduates at the Geneva School of Engineering were presented with their final project prior to receiving their diploma — simplify the perpetual calendar.

Although the task was easier said than done, their work led to the inception of the annual calendar complication, patented by Patek Philippe in collaboration with the bright engineering minds at the GSE. Five years later, Patek debuted the Reference 5035 which marked the world’s first-ever annual calendar movement and finally bridged the gap between a triple date function and the formidable quantième perpétuel.

This piece happens to be one of our favorite takes on the Patek Philippe Complications Annual Calendar dating back to 2020. Designated as a Reference 5396G-014, this delightful timepiece features a 38.5mm 18K white gold case with contoured lugs, a sapphire crystal, signed crown and a bezel adorned with a polished finish.

Its dark grey dial features a subtle sunburst satin finish with a matching white gold dauphine handset, day and month apertures underneath the Patek Philippe signature, a 24-hour subsidiary dial with a moonphase display, an applied ‘dot’ minute track, a date indicator at 6 o’clock, and the best part — applied, white gold Breguet numerals.

Chef's kiss.

The reverse features an exhibition back providing a window through which you can admire the self-winding Caliber 324 S QA LU 24H with a gold winding rotor engraved with the ‘Calatrava Cross’ seal. Accompanied by a signed alligator leather strap with a signed 18K white gold deployant buckle, this piece is an absolute stunner on the wrist.

Packing pedigree, refinement, function and outstanding craftsmanship that can only be expected by the one of the best — actually the best — watch manufactures in the world, this 5396 needs to be experienced in person to truly understand its greatness.

Founded in Geneva in 1839, Patek Philippe occupies a rare position in watchmaking: a manufacture whose name has become shorthand for the very highest level of traditional Swiss horology. Its reputation has been built not simply on complication, but on an extraordinary continuity of design, technical innovation, hand-finishing, and craftsmanship. From the elemental elegance of the Calatrava to milestones such as the Reference 1518, the first serially produced perpetual-calendar chronograph wristwatch, Patek Philippe has repeatedly created watches that define their categories rather than participate in them.

Family-owned and independent since the Stern family acquired the company in 1932, Patek has the unusual freedom to think in generations rather than seasons. That independence has produced some wonderfully contrarian decisions, including discontinuing the wildly desirable steel Nautilus Reference 5711 at the height of its popularity. Today, its collection spans restrained dress watches, complicated masterpieces, and contemporary icons such as the Nautilus and Aquanaut, yet a remarkably consistent design language runs through them all.

For many collectors, owning a Patek Philippe represents something close to the summit of the hobby; for others, Patek becomes the hobby itself. Either way, few manufactures combine history, mechanical achievement, design, rarity, and emotion quite so convincingly. And, yes, as the famous campaign has reminded us for decades, ownership is supposedly temporary. You never actually own a Patek Philippe…

Well, you know the rest.

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Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

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Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

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Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.