Patek Philippe · Annual Calendar Regulator
The movement in detail
The movement’s idea
Only the minute hand occupies the centre of the 5235. Hours are read above, seconds below. This arrangement invites a different look at a familiar dial: the minute first, then the hour. It recalls workshop regulators used to check other watches.
Calibre 31-260 REG QA is also interesting from the back. A small, off-centre 22K gold rotor winds the spring without covering the entire movement. The photograph makes clear how much space remains open for the bridges and balance.
Enlarge31-260 REG QA: the off-centre gold minirotor leaves much of the movement visible.
© Patek Philippe · SourceThe Spiromax hairspring and Pulsomax escapement use Silinvar, a silicon-based material. The unusual frequency is 3.2 Hz. It gives us a reason to look more closely at the calibre, but the frequency figure alone cannot compare the accuracy of two individual watches.
Practical meaning
The annual calendar distinguishes 30-day and 31-day months. With uninterrupted running, it needs correction on 1 March; its indications also need restoring after the watch stops. A 38–48-hour power reserve makes regular wear particularly useful.
Rose gold and a graphite dial provide a quiet setting for the unusual display. The essential buying condition is simple: you should enjoy how a regulator tells the time. When trying on the 5235, glance at it several times rather than only studying it closely.
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