New From Basel | Patek Philippe 5960/1A

Complications in stainless steel: a rare fusion at Patek Philippe. Patek Philippe’s new Re, 5960/1A Annual Calendar Chronograph is a wristwatch that emanates the cool sheen of stainless steel. It is one of the manufacture’s rare classically elegant wristwatches outside the casually exclusive Nautilus and Aquanaut collections that combine a complicated movement with a stainless steel case. This debut is bound to capture the attention of collectors and brand aficionados.

Patek Philippe’s stainless steel watches have always ranked among the most desirable timepieces because they were crafted only in small numbers. They were not regularly produced until 1976, when the manufacture introduced the casually elegant Nautilus line. Its memorable slogan: “One of the world’s most expensive watches is made of steel”. Twenty years later, the attractively stylish Aquanaut was also endowed with a stainless steel case. With very few exceptions- such as the ultra-thin split-seconds chronograph which has been in the collection since 2010- all other Patek Philippe men’s wristwatches were systematically cased in gold or platinum. As regards this strict distinction between casual and classic watches, the new Ref. 5960/1A is another one of these seductive exceptions.

Masculine Elegance- The new stainless steel case imbues the coveted Annual Calendar Chronograph with authoritative technical finesse that melds classic elegance with masculine sportiness. It emphasizes the active and dynamic nature of the chronograph and underscores its function as a convenient timekeeping instrument of everyday utility. Nonetheless, the new Ref. 5960/1A has a decidedly elegant nimbus attributable to the balanced, gently rounded case contours and the superb finishing touches that reflect the competence of Patek Philippe’s casemaking ateliers.

Red accents with a signal effect- Techncal elegance also characterizes the new silvery-gray dial with its striking red accents, interesting bright-dark contrasts, and the dynamic, performance-oriented looks of its explicitly three-dimensional architecture. An uncommon feature in a Patek Philippe watch: the red “1” in the date aperture, which kicks off each month with a colorful stimulus while the dates from the 2nd to the 31st days are displayed black on white. it is a genuine premiere for Patek Philippe, as is the combination of an Annual Calendar chronograph with a steel case and the stainless steel “drop” links bracelet that underscores the functionality of the Ref. 5960 as a measuring instrument.