Perfection from Patek
From grand complications to haute joaillerie, the 2019 novelties by the famed Geneva manufacture are an effortless mix of the classy and the cool
Highlights of the 2019 novelties by Geneva’s Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe unveiled no fewer than 15 novelties for the Baselworld fair in 2019, watches that ranged from the utterly extraordinary 6300G Rare Handcrafts version of the massively complicated Grandmaster Chime to the delicate beauty of the ladies’ 4899/ 901G Calatrava Haute Joaillerie. Of the Geneva manufacture’s new references, we were especially struck by the classic architecture of the 5172G chronograph in white gold and a beautiful shade of blue. Powered by the hand- wound calibre CH 29- 535 PH, developed entirely in- house, and strapped to the wrist by a matching hand- stitched calfskin strap, it’s a quintessentially masculine watch that effortlessly straddles the dressy and the casual.
Unusual for the fact that it comes in a steel case rather than one hewn from a precious metal, the new 5212A Calatrava Weekly Calendar embodies a similar smart/ casual aesthetic to that of the 5172G. Yet with its 50- jewel automatic calibre that drives five hands and hours, minutes, seconds, date, day- of- the- week and week- number functions, it’s as complicated as it wears extremely handsomely on the wrist.
Two new models joining the 7118 range of Ladies Automatic Nautilus watches were a pair in rose gold with plain gold bezels and dials either in silvery or golden- brown opaline. A simple and gently undulating wave pattern on the dial, which makes a pleasing contrast with the unadorned gold bezel and bracelet, enhances the sporting elegance of these two 35.2mm watches. Meanwhile, a total of 770 stones ( totalling 4.4 carats) adorn the case, dial, lugs and crown of the supremely elegant 4978/ 400G Diamond Ribbon Joaillerie in white gold, whose 36.5mm diameter makes it suitable for either women or men with a penchant for bling.
And then there’s the new 5168G Aquanaut
“Jumbo”, with 42.2mm white- gold case, embossed khaki- green dial and matching rubber strap, another Patek Philippe of exquisite craftsmanship and quality, as well as peerless credentials – a timepiece that looks absolutely right on every wrist at any time, and which confidently walks the line between cool and casual, smart and stylish.