With the Nautilus and Aquanaut receiving so much attention nowadays, a newcomer to our hobby could be forgiven for thinking that Patek Philippe is exclusively a sports watch manufacturer. In an increasingly uncertain world, it’s good to take a break from sports watches we see strewn all over social media and return to a focus on the meeting point between passion and high horology, an area that Patek Philippe continually shines in. While some attempts at high horology can seem cold and overly industrial, Patek’s creations consistently come through with heart and warmth that others seem unable to replicate. Here we’ll be looking at two watches that embody some of the best of Patek Philippe shown in two different dial colours, two different complication compositions, yet sharing the same spirit that has made collectors all over the world fall in love with these watches.
Introduced in 2017, the 5372P is currently Patek Philippe’s flagship split-seconds chronograph and perpetual calendar model. Underneath the blue sunburst dial is Patek’s Calibre CHR 27‑525 PS Q, which powers a split-seconds monopusher chronograph, perpetual calendar, small seconds, day/night indicator, and moon phase. The case width is 38.3mm which seems like a perfect diameter for a watch of this type, while the thickness comes in at 12.93mm. This watch combines the best of modern and vintage Patek Philippe watchmaking when you consider the juxtaposition of the blue sunburst dial, Arabic numerals, and split-seconds chronograph with a case size of 38mm, a fairly large crown, perpetual calendar, and moon phase. One of the nice features about this watch is that it comes with interchangeable case backs, one fully metal and one with a sapphire crystal, so the wearer can have the option to easily view the movement when desired and also have a metal case back that can be engraved.
The following year, Patek Philippe continued with the platinum trend in releasing the 5270P, a manual-wind grand complication chronograph and perpetual calendar with a salmon dial. Complications stemming from the Calibre CH 29-535 PS Q movement in this watch include a perpetual calendar, chronograph, day/night indicator, small seconds, and moon phase. This watch comes in larger at 41mm in diameter than the 5372, but slightly slimmer in height at 12.4mm. While 41mm isn’t disastrously large, it would have been a much better option had it been released in 39mm. What makes up for this potential flaw though is the glaringly obvious part of this watch that makes it grail worthy: the salmon dial. Salmon is a dial colour that we rarely see in fine watchmaking, yet something that Patek Philippe excels in doing. What makes it even more special is the fact that it’s not set against a gold case, but instead platinum, a metal that Patek Philippe releases many fewer examples in than any variation of gold. The 5270P, like the 5372P, also features interchangeable case backs.
The Patek Philippe 5270P-001 is priced at 192,780 USD and the price of the Patek Philippe 5372P-001 is available upon request of Patek Philippe.