With a legacy spanning over 180 years,
Patek Philippe has captivated watch enthusiasts and collectors alike with its unwavering commitment to excellence. Each timepiece that emerges from the Patek Philippe workshops is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail, the pursuit of perfection, and the harmonious marriage of technical prowess and aesthetic refinement.
Patek Philippe's journey began in 1839, when Antoine Norbert de Patek, a Polish watchmaker, and François Czapek, a Czech watchmaker, joined forces to establish Patek,
Czapek & Cie. The company quickly gained recognition for its exceptional pocket watches, which were prized for their accuracy and exquisite craftsmanship. In 1851, the company's name was changed to Patek Philippe & Cie after the addition of Jean Adrien Philippe, a French watchmaker who had invented the keyless winding system.
Courtesy of Patek Philippe
Throughout its illustrious history, Patek Philippe has been responsible for numerous groundbreaking innovations that have shaped the course of horology. In 1868, the company created the first Swiss wristwatch, and in 1925, it introduced the first perpetual calendar wristwatch. Patek Philippe's relentless pursuit of precision culminated in the creation of the Caliber 89 in 1989, the world's most complicated pocket watch, boasting 33 complications.
The Patek Philippe Cubitus collection, launched in October 2024, marks a bold departure from the manufacture's traditional design language, while still retaining the hallmarks of its exceptional craftsmanship. The Cubitus collection, comprising two distinct models, introduces a new interpretation of the "elegant sporty" style, characterized by a unique square-shaped case with rounded corners and a dial adorned with horizontal relief embossing.
The Cubitus Reference 5821/1A-001, crafted entirely in steel, exudes an air of understated sophistication. Its olive-green sunburst dial, embellished with horizontal relief embossing, shimmers with a subtle radiance, capturing the essence of sporty elegance. The applied baton-style hour markers and rounded baton-style hour and minute hands, all in white gold with a white luminescent coating, provide exceptional legibility against the textured backdrop.
The Cubitus Reference 5821/1AR-001, on the other hand, presents a striking contrast with its two-tone design. The bezel and central bracelet links, fashioned in rose gold, complement the steel caseband and lateral links, creating a harmonious interplay of colors and textures. The blue sunburst dial, also featuring horizontal relief embossing, adds a touch of vibrancy to the watch's overall aesthetic. The applied baton-style hour markers and rounded baton-style hour and minute hands, in rose gold with a white luminescent coating, further enhance the watch's visual appeal.
Courtesy of Patek Philippe
Both Cubitus models are powered by the self-winding caliber 26-330 S C, a movement renowned for its precision and reliability. This caliber, introduced in 2019, boasts a stop-seconds mechanism, allowing for precise time setting, and a power reserve of 35 to 45 hours. The movement's intricate workings and meticulous finishing can be admired through the sapphire-crystal display back, revealing the central rotor in 21K gold, adorned with the same horizontal motif as the dial.
The Cubitus collection's distinctive square-shaped case, measuring 45 mm in diameter, is a testament to Patek Philippe's unwavering commitment to innovation and design excellence. The rounded corners of the case soften its geometric lines, creating a harmonious balance between boldness and refinement. The case's slim profile, measuring just 8.3 mm in height, ensures a comfortable fit on the wrist, while its two-part construction and screw-down crown guarantee water resistance to a depth of 30 meters.
The contrasting finishes of the Cubitus case further accentuate its unique design. The flat surfaces of the bezel and the front of the case are adorned with a vertical satin-brushed finish, while the bezel's chamfer and the case flanks are polished to a gleaming shine. These finishing techniques, executed by hand with meticulous precision, require approximately 55 manual operations per watch, underscoring Patek Philippe's unwavering dedication to craftsmanship.
The integrated metal bracelets of the Cubitus models seamlessly extend the watch's design language, echoing the alternating finishes of the case. The main links of the bracelet feature a vertical satin-brushed finish, while the central links are polished, creating a dynamic interplay of light and texture. The bracelets are equipped with a lockable size-adjustment system and a patented Patek Philippe fold-over clasp, secured by four independent catches, ensuring both comfort and security.
Patek Philippe has also introduced new Cubitus cufflinks, designed to complement the watches. The cufflinks, crafted in either rose gold or white gold, mirror the shape of the case and feature a central disc adorned with a sunburst pattern and horizontal relief embossing, echoing the dial's design.
Courtesy of Patek Philippe
At the heart of both Cubitus models beats the self-winding caliber 26-330 S C, a movement that exemplifies Patek Philippe's unwavering commitment to precision and reliability. This mechanical marvel, measuring a mere 3.3 mm in height, comprises 212 individual parts, each meticulously crafted and finished to the highest standards. With 30 jewels and a frequency of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 Hz), the caliber 26-330 S C ensures accurate timekeeping, while its Gyromax® balance and Spiromax® balance spring, crafted from Silinvar®, provide exceptional stability and resistance to shocks and temperature variations.
The caliber 26-330 S C boasts a power reserve of 35 to 45 hours, allowing the watch to run for an extended period without requiring manual winding. The movement's central rotor, crafted from 21K gold, is adorned with the same horizontal motif as the dial, adding a touch of visual harmony to the watch's intricate mechanics. This rotor, visible through the sapphire-crystal display back, showcases Patek Philippe's dedication to aesthetic refinement, even in the hidden depths of the movement.
The Cubitus's case, measuring 45 mm in diameter, is a testament to Patek Philippe's mastery of form and function. Its square shape, softened by rounded corners, strikes a balance between boldness and sophistication, while its slim profile, measuring just 8.3 mm in height, ensures a comfortable fit on the wrist. The case's two-part construction, comprising a caseband and bezel, enhances its durability and water resistance, allowing it to withstand depths of up to 30 meters.
The contrasting finishes of the Cubitus case further accentuate its unique design. The flat surfaces of the bezel and the front of the case are adorned with a vertical satin-brushed finish, achieved through a meticulous process of brushing the metal in a single direction. This finish creates a subtle sheen, adding a touch of understated refinement to the watch's aesthetic. The bezel's chamfer and the case flanks, on the other hand, are polished to a gleaming shine, creating a striking contrast with the satin-brushed surfaces. This interplay of textures adds depth and dimension to the case, highlighting its geometric form.
Courtesy of Patek Philippe
The integrated metal bracelets of the Cubitus models seamlessly extend the watch's design language, echoing the alternating finishes of the case. The main links of the bracelet feature a vertical satin-brushed finish, matching the bezel and case front, while the central links are polished, mirroring the bezel's chamfer and case flanks. This harmonious blend of finishes creates a dynamic flow, enhancing the bracelet's visual appeal and comfort on the wrist.
The Cubitus bracelets are equipped with a lockable size-adjustment system, allowing for a precise fit, and a patented Patek Philippe fold-over clasp, secured by four independent catches. This clasp design ensures both comfort and security, preventing accidental opening and providing peace of mind for the wearer.
The dials of the Cubitus models are a testament to Patek Philippe's artistry and attention to detail. The horizontal relief embossing, a signature feature of the collection, adds a subtle texture to the dial, creating a captivating interplay of light and shadow. This embossing, achieved through a meticulous process of pressing the dial's surface, adds depth and dimension to the dial, enhancing its visual appeal.
The Cubitus Reference 5821/1A-001 features an olive-green sunburst dial, a color that evokes a sense of understated sophistication. The sunburst finish, achieved by brushing the dial from its center outwards, creates a subtle radiance, adding a touch of warmth to the olive-green hue. The applied baton-style hour markers and rounded baton-style hour and minute hands, all crafted from white gold and coated with a luminescent material, provide exceptional legibility against the textured backdrop.
The Cubitus Reference 5821/1AR-001, on the other hand, features a blue sunburst dial, a color that exudes a sense of vibrancy and energy. The sunburst finish, similar to that of the olive-green dial, creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, enhancing the blue hue's depth and richness. The applied baton-style hour markers and rounded baton-style hour and minute hands, crafted from rose gold and coated with a luminescent material, add a touch of warmth and contrast to the dial's cool tones.
Courtesy of Patek Philippe
Both Cubitus models feature a date aperture at 3 o'clock, framed by an inlaid frame in either white gold or rose gold, matching the respective dial's color scheme. This date aperture, a practical complication, seamlessly integrates into the dial's design, maintaining its clean and uncluttered aesthetic.
The Patek Philippe Cubitus 5821 collection embodies the pinnacle of horological artistry, seamlessly blending innovative design, meticulous craftsmanship, and exceptional technical prowess. With its distinctive square-shaped case, captivating dial variations, and the precision of the self-winding caliber 26-330 S C, the Cubitus is poised to become a new icon in the world of haute horology. Whether you're drawn to the understated sophistication of the olive-green dial and steel case of the 5821/1A, priced at $41,240.00 USD, or the captivating contrast of the blue dial and two-tone case of the 5821/1AR, priced at $61,280.00 USD, the Cubitus collection offers a compelling choice for discerning collectors seeking a timepiece that embodies both sporty refinement and enduring style.