New Patek Philippe collection after 25 years

Patek Philippe has just revealed the Cubitus Collection, its first new line in 25 years. While Patek has a legacy of making exceptional watches, some recent choices have sparked debate. The Cubitus Collection, launched in Munich, consists of three models: two with time/date features and one featuring a grand date complication.

 

Photo Source: Times and Watches

 

Reference 5821/1A (Stainless Steel, Green Dial)

 

The 5821/1A is expected to be the most desired of the trio. The "A" stands for steel (acier in French), with the bracelet resembling the iconic Nautilus and similar finishing techniques. The case is square, 45mm in diameter (the watch is squared, so the normal measures don’t really apply), and only 8.3mm thick, comparable to the Nautilus 5811G. The olive green dial is horizontally ribbed, with white gold baton-shaped hour markers and a date window at 3 o'clock. Inside is the caliber 26-330 S C movement, which includes a stop-seconds feature for precise time setting.

 

The price is $41,243, and it will be available from October 18.

 

Photo Source: Times and Watches

Reference 5821/1AR (Stainless Steel & Rose Gold, Blue Dial)

 

This model mirrors the 5821/1A but comes in a two-tone steel and rose-gold case and bracelet, with a deep blue dial.

 

The watch is priced at $61,276, and will also be available from October 18.

 

Photo Source: Times and Watches

Reference 5822P (Platinum, Blue Dial, Grand Date)

 

The 5822P introduces a new grand date complication, featuring a moon phase, day, and date, based on the legendary caliber 240. Its most notable feature is the instantaneous grand date, which changes in just 18 milliseconds, thanks to six patented innovations. The case is 45mm in diameter and 9.6mm thick, slightly larger to match the new mechanism. The watch comes on a blue composite strap, avoiding the weight of a platinum bracelet.

 

Priced at $88,378, also be available on October 18.

 

Photo Source: Times and Watches

So, let’s face the elephant in the room…

 

This is obviously subjective, but Patek may have overshot this one. Many people call this watch a Santos knockoff, which is something no one would ever have believed a year ago if they were told Patek was making the watch. 

 

The second problem is the price. Patek is surely exclusive, and of course, there is inflation - but pricing the basic model at $41,000 is quite a lot even for Patek. For comparison, the basic Nautilus was sold in the lower $30,000 at retail.

 

But hey, Patke most likely knows what they’re doing - most likely, this collection will be hated on for some time, but in a couple of years, it will be considered a masterpiece.