The Most Desired Patek Philippe Complications Models of All Time

Patek Philippe's Complications demonstrate the brand’s unrivaled expertise and horological knowledge. Where standard mechanical watches only tell the time and date, complications are designed with extra features that make them a little more functional. 

From annual calendars to showcasing two time zones simultaneously or displaying the world times, complications are very useful timepieces. Little wonder why some of the most sought-after Patek Philippe models are Complications.  

As one of the most renowned watchmakers in the world, Patek Philippe upholds a tradition of creating watches with complications that are useful for everyday situations. In this article, we’ll list some of the most popular Patek Philippe complication models that collectors and watch lovers desire. 

Patek Philippe Complications 5970 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph

The ref 5970 was a Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph watch that was in production for 7 brief years (from 2004 to 2011). Within this time, the company made an estimated 2,800 pieces across all four metal types. 

The watch is part of a series of perpetual calendar watches whose origin stretches all the way back to the 1940s, with the 5970 having the shortest run time in the family. It immediately follows the slightly thinner ref. 3970, but it is less imposing than the ref. 5270 that follows right after it. The perfect sizing of this watch’s casing and its perceived rarity make it a sought-after piece by collectors. Getting a preowned 5970 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph will save you a considerable amount of money.

5370 Split-Seconds Chronograph

Patek Philipe’s first split-second chronograph complication was invented in 1926. The Ref. 5370 represents one of the more recent collections in the series. This complicated timepiece is designed to embody everything good about vintage split-second Pateks, including aesthetics and function. 

The reference 5370 features two pushers on the side to control the chronograph function. It also has an on/off button to control the split-second mechanism. The latest in the series is the  5370P, with the “P” representing platinum. This piece currently goes for about $263,000 in the secondary market. 

5146 Annual Calendar

The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar ref 5146 was introduced in 2005 as a slightly bigger version of the ref 5056, released a few years earlier. This beautiful wristwatch is available in 18 K White Gold, Rose Gold, and Yellow Gold variants. 

Patek’s decision to introduce an annual calendar was motivated by the need to create a practical mid-range complication that was cheaper than a perpetual calendar. The answer to that question was the yearly calendar wristwatch. You can find a good, preowned version of this watch under $30,000 with this rapidly updated collection.  

Despite the relatively low price point, the 5146 Annual Calendar is one of the most sophisticated timepieces from the Patek Philippe company. It was in production for several years, starting from 2005, but was eventually discontinued in 2021. 

2499 Perpetual Calendar

What makes this particular Patek Philippe complication so sought-after is its rarity. This perpetual calendar collection was produced between 1950 and 1985, and only about 349 are currently in circulation. Consequently, collectors can only get their hands on one by buying at auction, and they tend to be very expensive. For instance, one Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Reference 2499/100 was sold in 2020 for over  $600,000.

The 2499 Perpetual Calendar comes in four generations—the first was produced between 1950 and 1960 with square buttons. The second series was in production between 1955 to 1966 and had round buttons. The third series had an updated dial and ran between 1960 to 1978. The final series entered production in 1978 and was eventually discontinued in 1984. 

1415 World Time

The 1415 World Time Reference 1415HU is Patek Philippe’s first-ever world timer wristwatch. It was released for the first time in 1939. The release of this watch coincided with the outbreak of the Second World War. Beyond the ongoing conflict, the watch also came when the world was experiencing significant technological advancements in air travel, telephony, and telegraphy.  

The World Time Complication was the work of renowned watch designer Louis Cottier. It featured a complex mechanism that could tell the time zone readings for different locations worldwide. It was the first watch with a mechanical mechanism that could achieve this impressive feat. 

Patek Philippe made just 115 examples of this complication between 1939 and 1954, when the series was discontinued. The historical significance of this watch and its limited number makes it a highly sought-after watch. The reference was manufactured in two generations. The first series had a rotating bezel showing only 28 cities, while the second one displayed the time zone for 41 locations. One of the watches in this collection was a platinum piece sold at auction for more than six million dollars.

Other Notable Patek Philippe Watches

Calatrava 5270

The Calatrava line of watches is one of Patek Philippe’s most popular. This watch collection is known for its elegance and simplicity. With a name that has become synonymous with the Patek brand itself, Calatrava is generally regarded as the ultimate dress watch. 

By definition, a dress watch isn’t a complicated watch. In fact, most watches in the collection only tell the time and date. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule. For instance, the Calatrava 5270 is a Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. This reference was created in 2011, and the company has introduced three generations since then. 

The Patek Philippe Calatrava is actually one of Patek’s most “affordable” watch collections. The latest in the series, which was launched in 2015, sells for about $120,000. The date-time models with no complications will cost considerably less. 

Aquanaut Chronograph 5968A 

As the name suggests, the Aquanaut is a water-resistant divers’ watch. The base model for this collection was launched in 1997 as a less formal alternative to the greatly successful Nautilus. The Aquanaut is commonly referenced as the first Patek to be purpose-built for an active lifestyle. One piece of evidence is the incorporation of a rubber strap, a rarity in 1997 when this watch was released. 

The Aquanaut Chronograph 5968A is probably the sportiest Patek yet. This watch was released in 2018 and features a bold orange color on the dial and strap. The rubber strap on this watch was paired with a stainless steel casing. However, the highlight of this model is the chronograph function, which adds to the existing time-and-date and travel-time models already in circulation. One of the factors driving demand for Aquanaut is the long Nautilus waitlist. Collectors and everyday buyers looking to avoid the long waitlist often favor similar alternatives like this. You can expect to pay around $40,000 as a starting price for this model. 

Nautilus 5712

The Nautilus is arguably Patek Philippe’s most popular collection. Every model in the collection is a collector’s piece. This collection was introduced in 1976, and its entry into the market revolutionized the entire watch industry. 

One of the most famous complications in this series (apart from the data-time model) is the moon phase complication in the Nautilus 5712. This model displays the moon's phases throughout an entire lunar month as it goes from new to full moon, adding a celestial touch to this watch collection. 

The moon phase complication is a testament to Patek Philippe’s technical prowess, providing a unique way to track the passage of time. This unique piece is particularly sought after by enthusiasts who value astronomical features. In addition to this technicality, this Nautilus 5712 is also visually stunning, with an integrated strap that gives it a sleek and streamlined appearance. 

Conclusion 

As this list shows, the Patek Philippe Complications family is very diverse.  Patek Philippe Grand Complications and Complications collection includes a variety of men's and women's watches crafted beautifully with various advanced features while still maintaining the elegant aesthetics that Patek Philippe watches have become famous for. If you’re a fan of Patek Philippe watches and you don’t mind pieces that do more than just tell the time, the watches on this list are worth taking a look at.