The classic interpretation of the Annual Calendar, featuring a sand-beige sunburst dial

Patek Philippe has revisited the Reference 5396 with its timeless design in a refined version endowed with a rose-gold case and a sand-beige sunburst dial. Already a 20-year success in the Manufacture’s regular collection, which it joined in 2006, the Reference 5396 Annual Calendar model stands out by its classically styled case, inspired by that of the original Calatrava Reference 96, and by its dual day/month aperture at 12 o’clock and date aperture at 6 o’clock, along with a 24-hour subsidiary dial incorporating a moon-phase display.

This new model combines the classic Calatrava design with the warm sheen of a fully polished 38.5 mm rose-gold case and an incomparably radiant sand-beige sunburst dial. The dial presents faceted obus-style applied hour markers and faceted dauphine-style hands, all in rose gold, and a slender seconds hand from the center. The snailed finish on the 24-hour sub-dial incorporating the moon-phase display also facilitates time readings by providing a subtle contrast. An alligator-leather strap in shiny dark chestnut brown secured by a fold-over clasp in rose gold underscores the classic elegance of this timepiece.

This model is powered by the Caliber 26-330 S QA LU 24 self-winding movement, equipped with the ingenious Annual Calendar mechanism, patented by Patek Philippe in 1996. This movement displays the day, the month and the date for months with 30 and 31 days, thus requiring only one manual correction per year at the end of February. This user friendliness is combined with the extreme precision of the moon-phase mechanism, which deviates by only one day in 122 years. The 24-hour display simplifies calendar adjustment, while the corrector push-pieces on the flanks of the case enable easy adjustment of the Annual Calendar displays and the moon phases. The refined finishes lavished on the 339-part movement may be admired through a transparent sapphire crystal case-back.