Patek Philippe Annual Calendar

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 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 transports us forward to the present day and is a handsome modern interpretation of the Patek Philippe Complications Annual Calendar. Designated as a Reference 5396R-015, this lovely timepiece features a 38.5mm 18k rose gold case with sculpted, contoured lugs, a concave bezel, and polished finish. The dial features a blue sunburst finishing with applied diamond indices. The dial displays a pair of aper