New Watch! • 19 Apr 2023
Patek Philippe Introduces Three New Additions to the Aquanaut Collection
Remaining true to the Aquanaut DNA, Patek Philippe introduces the first Annual Calendar in the collection, a new flyback chronograph in rose gold, and an elegant new colour for the Aquanaut Luce.
The Aquanaut Luce Annual Calendar: A New Practical Complication
The new Aquanaut Luce Annual Calendar Ref. 5261R-001 features the patented Annual Calendar complication, with a complete day/date/month calendar that requires only one manual correction per year. It follows the Aquanaut Luce Travel Time Ref. 5269/200R-001 launched in 2021, and the Aquanaut Luce “Rainbow” chronograph Reference 7968/300R-001 revealed in 2022, enriching Patek Philippe’s range of complicated ladies’ watches.
The watch is powered by the new self-winding 26-330 S QA LU caliber, which is based on the 26-330 S C caliber introduced in 2019. It features several technical innovations and optimizations (two of which have been patented), particularly with regards to the winding system.
On the dial side, the day of week and month are shown on the subdials at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock respectively, with the apertures at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock displaying the moon phases and date. This reversed orientation to the annual calendar module adorned with the embossed Aquanaut pattern creates a new face. The applied numerals and baton-style hands in rose gold have a white luminescent coating to ensure legibility.
Housed in a 39.9mm rose gold case, the iconic design with its rounded octagonal shape is enhanced by the contrast between polished and satin finishes. The gray-blue colour of the dial is sustained by in the integrated composite strap of the same shade and similarly adorned with the Aquanaut pattern. Highly resistant to traction, wear, salt water and ultraviolet light, the composite strap provides optimal comfort. It is secured by the patented Patek Philippe fold-over clasp with four independent catches.
The First Aquanaut Flyback Chronograph in Rose Gold
Patek Philippe reinterprets its sporty style in the new Aquanaut Flyback Chronograph Ref. 5968R-001, featuring a rose gold case, paired with a sunburst brown dial with black-gradient rim and matching strap.
The new Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968R-001 comes equipped with the self-winding flyback chronograph CH 28-520 C caliber, which combines the traditional column-wheel control with an innovative vertical disk clutch. It allows the central chronograph second hand to be used with display the seconds continuously since the clutch causes almost no wear. The flyback function enables timekeeping to be started instantly while the chronograph is running by simply pressing the pusher at 4 o’clock.
Smoothly integrating the chronograph into the Aquanaut design, its aesthetics are enhanced by the alternating polished and satin finishes on the case, bezel, and pushers. The 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock follows the rounded octagonal shape of the bezel, providing further aesthetic congruence. With the chronograph indications in white, the applied numerals and baton-style hands in rose gold with white luminescent coating, the contrast against the brown embossed dial with black-gradient rim provides exceptional legibility.
The rose gold 42.2mm-diameter case with its screw-down crown is water-resistant to 120m, and comes on an ultra-resistant composite material featuring an Aquanaut pattern to match the brown dial, and completed with a patented Patek Philippe fold-over clasp with four independent catches.
An Elegant New Colour for Aquanaut Luce
Patek Philippe introduces an elegant “taupe” colour for the Aquanaut Luce collection. The new Aquanaut Luce Ref. 5268/200R with self-winding movement is reimagined in a new “taupe” colored dial and strap. This warm shade of gray complements the rose gold case, with its iconic rounded octagonal bezels with polished bevels lit up by a row of 48 exquisitely set internally flawless Top Wesselton diamonds, totalling 1.17 carats.
The dial with its embossed Aquanaut pattern features polished applied Arabic numerals and rose gold baton-style hour and minute hands – featuring a luminescent coating to ensure excellent day and night readability. The (sweep) seconds are indicated by a slender rose-gilt hand, while the date is displayed in an aperture at 3 o’clock. This sporty chic timepiece houses the self-winding 26-330 S C caliber, introduced in 2019 and featuring several technical innovations and optimizations (two of which are patented), notably for the winding system. The “stop seconds” function brings the balance to a halt when the crown is pulled out, allowing the time to be set to the nearest second. The sapphire crystal case back reveals the movement’s design and refined finishing.
The integrated strap in ultra-resistant composite material, adorned with the Aquanaut pattern, is equipped with the patented Patek Philippe fold-over clasp secured by four independent catches.