Best of the Patek Philippe 2021 novelties

Other than the green dial 5711/1A, Patek Philippe has been busy with a furry of excellent novelties for 2021. Here are our picks for the best from them this year – the green Nautilus (of course!), a new Calatrava with a new movement, and a brand new in-line Perpetual Calendar.

Highlights from the Patek Philippe 2021 novelties

Patek launched a new grand complication with perpetual calendar with an innovative, patented in-line display (Ref. 5236P-001), a new Calatrava with the famous “Clous de Paris” bezel, a new Annual Calendar in a round steel case with integrated metal bracelet (Ref. 4947/1A-001), a ladies Calatrava with a guilloched, blue lacquered dial has a slightly larger case and now accommodates a self-winding movement (Ref. 4997/200G-001). Out of these 9 novelties, we pick three as our highlights.

Our photography appointment to shoot and handle the watches is scheduled for tomorrow, and we will be bringing you the comprehensive hands-on reviews soon.

Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref 5711/1A in olive green

Patek Philippe has already made waves with rumours the discontinuation of the 5711/1A. However, it is now clear that it will be the final year for the stainless steel Nautilus, with a swan song model to be announced. And here it is – the 5711/1A in an olive green dial. Our review of the blue dial Ref. 5711/1A is found here.

All the key features of the outgoing Nautilus is preserved. The only new feature is the green dial. And it does not disappoint. In a year where there are numerous green dials, Patek has taken the high road, and the new new olive green sunburst dial in the traditional raised stripe Nautilus dial is certainly a good looking watch.

But this is not the only new Nautilus introduced for 2021. A total of 4 novelties are added to the stable. So in addition to this new 5711/1A, this new dial will also be available in a version featuring a bezel set with baguette diamonds. The Ref. 5990/1 Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph comes in rose gold with a blue sunburst dial while a new Nautilus Haute Joaillerie with a random full diamond pavé setting makes a scintillating debut.

Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref 6119

A new Calatrava with the famous “Clous de Paris” bezel, and new hand wound movement joins the collection this year. The bezel is an icon in the industry, with the most prominent model being the Ref. 3919 introduced in 1985. It has a white dial and black lacquered Roman numerals that was produced for over 20 years.

The Calatrava series itself is a direct descendent of the celebrated Ref. 96 (30.5mm case diameter), to the Ref. 96D (D for decor) in 30.6mm to the Ref. 3919 (33.4mm) and now the Ref. 6119 is in a new size of 39mm case diameter. This new reference will be available in a rose gold and a white gold case.

The movement is the all new Caliber 30-255PS, which measures 30.4mm in diameter and a height of just 2.5mm. This larger diameter allows for a double barrel design and a higher power reserve of 65 hours. As with the new Patek calibers introduced recently, the C.30-355PS will have a stop seconds hacking mechanism.

Patek Philippe Calatrava Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5236P

Patek is well known for their Perpetual Calendar watches. And it is a pleasant surprise that this novelty is a new iteration of their creativity in this complications arena – an introduces their first wrist watch with an inline display of the day, date, month. This inline display is inspired by the manufacture’s pocket watch – the Ref. 725/4, which can be seen in the Patek Philippe Museum.

The case is currently only in platinum, with a diameter of 41.3 mm and a height of merely 11.07 mm. And the launch model has a blue dial with a black gradation to the periphery is adorned with a vertical satin finish. The in-line display shows the day, date and month in a panoramic aperture below the Patek Philippe logo, and makes the perpetual calendar display look very clean and easy to read.

This is an interesting perpetual calendar complication because it is a technical feat of miniaturization. As can be seen in the movement photograph below, the in-line system takes up the entire face of the movement. The customized module for the display itself has 3 patent applications. And relies on four disks, of which two are for the date, all arranged in a single level. This system consists of 118 parts on its own.

The perpetual calendar display also shows a moon phase, leap year cycle and day/night indications elsewhere on the dial.

The new caliber 31-260 PS QL has a recessed mini-rotor automatic winding system.

Concluding thoughts

This is again a good year of novelties for Patek Philippe. Not only with the finale of the long run of the Nautilus in Stainless Steel which stole the show, but also in the new and beautiful Calatrava models with the “Clous de Paris” bezel and new movement, which could signal Patek’s direction for their movements – larger, longer power reserve, and of course, now with hacking seconds. And the stunning new Perpetual Calendar with the in-line display. Stunning year for Patek.