Highly practical in its design and complication, this self-winding Patek Philippe 5205G in white goldcould be considered by some asan idealeveryday watch from the manufacture. Integrating useful functions, displayed in a clearly arranged dial layout, itisbothsatisfying to wear and intuitive to use. Its pared back white gold case, combining vintage cues with more contemporary traits, captures the essence of modern Patek Philippe.

A Practical Complication

Reflecting on the discrepancies between ordinary calendar watches and the highly complicatedperpetual calendars,Patek Philippeset about creating a robust, user-friendly annual calendar complication that could be worn every day. Whilst upholding all the qualities the brand had become synonymous for, Patek Philipe endeavoured to create a watch which also provided a moreaccessibleprice point for acalendar complication,compared tothe brands .In 1996, the manufacturefinally released the worlds first annual calendar wristwatch, the reference 5035. The complication has been in Patek Philippe'scatalogue ever since.

AMonochromatic Dial

Where Patek Philippe's perpetual calendarshave been somewhatrestrained, the annual calendar has proven to be a complication where they have been able to be more expressive with variations in dial colour and case material combinations. The reference 5205Ghas proved itself as one of these popular variants. It features a two-tone concentric dial, mixing matte silver and slate grey to produce a modern and elegant aesthetic.Patek Philippe has a long-standing tradition of creating two-tone dials, harking back to its earliest pieces, which is presented here in a much more contemporary manner, integratingrhodium andruthenium details to achieve a subtle, but distinctive, effect.

A 24-hour indicator echoes the slate grey found on the outside chapter ring, with the moonphase sat centrally inside of this. The moonphase disc is produced ina similar slate grey colouring, whichextends the monochromatic theme present throughout the rest of the design. It is interesting to note that among Patek Philippe's annual calendar offering, this appears to beone of the fewdiscs thatmirrors the rest of the design, rather than opting for a more traditional dark blue backdrop.This accurate moonphase only deviates from the true lunar cycle by one day every 122 years.

Theannual calendar mechanism only requires adjustment once a year in February, as it accounts for the long and short months throughout the year. Situated in recessed apertures at 10, 12 and 2 o'clock respectively, the day, date and month are displayed in a highly legible manner. The layout is a clearextension of the designof the . All apertures can be individually adjusted, using the correctors on theside of the case.

Finely finished dauphine handsglide over the bevelled ruthenium indexes, whilst a stark white sweeping seconds hand providesadditional legibility, whilst staying in keeping with the overall aesthetic. Individual white gold minute markers are dotted in between each of the bevelled indexes, providing a subtle embellishment to the restrained dial design.

A Contemporary Case Design

This Patek Philippe 5205G is sized at a contemporary 40mm and has a distinctive amorphous, bevel-free shape. Thislesser-used concave bezel, pairedwith thin lugs and the manufactures' signature crown, work proportionately well together.The entire watch is polished and mirror finished, whilst the crown itself is engraved with the Patek Philippe Calatrava Cross.

Notably, the lugs are hollowed out and recessed on the sides, which adds to the overall contemporary feel of what is largely considered a classical silhouette. This unusual detail speaks to the design approach of the overall piece, which is intended to comfortablybalance a classic and more sporty design. Whilst Patek Philippe has remained relatively conservative with its perpetual calendars, the annual calendar collection has adopted a greater degree ofboldness and modernity.

The Movement

The complicated yet robust5205G-001is powered by Patek Philippes calibre324 S QA LU 24H.It features34 jewels, a unidirectional winding central rotor in 21K gold, 35-45 hour power reserve, aGyromax balance wheel with a Spiromax balance spring and the Patek Philippe seal, found on movements produced after 2009.The movement is beautifully finished, with exquisite chamfering on all angles, polishing and decoration, in the form of Geneva striping.

The Set

This Patek Philippe ref. 5205G-001comes with a Patek Philippe outer box, inner wooden box, instruction manual, other accompanying product literature,leather wallet and Certificate of Origin. It comes on one of our straps, and is also accompanied by its original Patek Philippealligator strap and 18-carat white goldpin buckle

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