Mid Complications
When you tire of the basics but aren’t ready for the high complications, this is the category to explore
IF ONE should ever feel inclined to question the esteem held by high complications in horology, a glance at the inner workings of a perpetual calendar is all the assurance required. High complications such as perpetual calendars maintain a respected position within the family of watch complications for good reason. They are precise, intricate mechanisms that are borne of a watchmaker’s skill and diligence. It goes without saying that they are also amazing to behold in action.
Patek Philippe 5270J-001 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
Patek Philippe’s latest offering once again displays the maison’s expertise. The Ref. 5270J-001 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph comes executed to a standard that has become synonymous with the brand itself, both in terms of design and engineering.
The 41-millimetre gold case and opaline dial exude a timeless quality, while the CH 29535 PS Q adopts the aesthetically pleasing qualities of a lateral clutch chronograph while mitigating its drawbacks. The manualwinding movement boasts no less than six patented innovations, engineered specifically for this purpose.
Chopard L.U.C. Perpetual Twin
While it is nigh impossible to find any technical fault with a QP timepiece, one must concede that it tends to veer towards a more dated aesthetic. For 2020, however, Chopard updated its L.U.C Perpetual Twin collection with a new steel/blue dial and rose gold/ruthenium grey offering. This new addition brings a refreshing splash of colour that feels young and glamorous, yet artfully avoids being in your face. The COSC-certified calibre L.U.C. 96.22-L, as always, comes with a level of finishing commensurate with Chopard’s premium L.U.C line, and features
a 22-karat gold micro-rotor.
Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept
Some may argue that the pursuit of making the world’s thinnest watch may be a race to the bottom. However, one cannot deny how it has resulted in several engineering breakthroughs The Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept is a stellar example. For the timepiece to achieve its svelte twomillimetre thickness, the calibre 900P-UC was integrated directly into the case. The case, constructed out of a special cobalt alloy, also doubles as the movement plate. Watch complications typically bridge the realms of the mechanical and mathematical, but when the physics of scaling (to this extent) come into play, size itself becomes a complication too. While the Altiplano Ultimate Concept is still very much a “form first” timepiece, there’s no denying the technical achievement it represents. AM