The Best Watches Introduced by PATEK PHILIPPE in 2021

With the end of the year fast approaching, we’ve decided to look at the best models launched by the most productive manufacturers in 2021. Not all brands were equal this year, with most of them playing conservative, either by releasing only evolutions of existing collections or new colours/materials, either by releasing a very limited amount of watches. This wasn’t the case for Patek Philippe, as the brand managed to create the buzz (yes, that Tiffany stamped dial… and more), but also amazed by creating entirely new models or by having some major technical innovations. Pandemic and crisis… These aren’t words found in Patek’s dictionary and the brand has been highly productive this year. And here are, according to MONOCHROME, the 5 most important models presented by the brand in 2021. 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-014 Green Dial

The first… and maybe the most notable model that Patek Philippe presented in 2021. Sure, there are some other important models in the collection (and some that really deserve even more attention) but the aura of the Nautilus is so strong that a new dial colour simply created a total frenzy. As announced by the brand’s president, Mr Stern, the reference 5711, the classic time-and-date luxury sports watch, will be replaced in 2022 but before it leaves the collection, the model has been presented in a farewell edition with an unprecedented sunray-brushed olive green dial, produced for a year only and already a collector’s dream watch. Apart from this new – and objectively very appealing colour – and only minor updates, the model is still identical to other editions of the Nautilus 5711 presented in 2006. And now, everybody wonders what will be the future of the Nautilus, with the new model expected for mid-2022.

All the details on the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-014 Green Dial can be found in our article here.

Quick facts: 40mm x 8.3mm – stainless steel case, 120m water-resistant – brushed and grooved olive green dial – calibre 26-330 S C – in-house, automatic with central rotor, time and date indications – stainless steel integrated bracelet – ref. 5711/1A-014 – EUR 30,400

Patek Philippe In-line Perpetual Calendar 5236P

This watch made it to our selection of the best perpetual calendar watches of 2021, and for good reasons. Visually, the In-line Perpetual Calendar 5236P is a stunning, modern expression of Patek’s classic elegance, with a thin and restrained platinum case, combined with a sleek and minimalistic gradient blue dial with a straight brushed pattern. The overall look is distinguished, refined and discreet… everything you want in a complicated Patek Philippe. Mechanically, it also comes with several notable features, starting with its original display inspired by the past. Composed of 4 discs, the perpetual calendar indications (day of the week, two-digit date and month) are displayed in a linear manner, making for an uncluttered dial as well as a very intuitive reading of the calendar. It is also powered by a superb automatic movement based on the Ref. 5235 Annual Calendar Regulator. Clearly one of the brand’s highlights of 2021.

All the details on the Patek Philippe In-line Perpetual Calendar 5236P are in our article here.

Quick facts: 41.3mm x 11.07mm – 950 platinum case – Blue-black gradient dial, vertical satin finish – Calibre 31-260 PS QL, in-house, automatic, 38h-48h power reserve, in-line QP with day, date, and month, Leap-year cycle and day/night indicator, moon phase – shiny navy blue alligator leather strap – ref. 5236P-001 – EUR 113,200

Patek Philippe Calatrava Clous de Paris 6119 Hand-Wound

Born in the early-1930s, the Calatrava is one of the most enduring models of Patek Philippe. And the combination of the sleek 3-part case design with the Clou de Paris pattern on the bezel has long been a classic for the brand, yet unseen for several years (since the references 3919 and 5119 were phased out). For 2021, the brand brings back what used to be a slightly outdated design in a far more appealing and contemporary way, with the Calatrava 6119. Available either in rose or white gold, the new watch is simply stunning. Refined and elegant, it oozes classic luxury and marks the comeback, in a sleek manner, of the bezel with Clou de Paris pattern. Enlarged, the case houses a brand new hand-wound movement, the calibre Calibre 30‑255 PS, with a double-barrel and solid power reserve of 65 hours. A watch that is, at least for us, quintessentially Patek.

All the details on the Patek Philippe Calatrava Clous de Paris 6119 Hand-Wound can be read here.

Quick facts: 39mm x 8.1mm – 18k rose or white gold Calatrava case with Clou de Paris pattern on the bezel – silvery grained or Charcoal grey dial – Calibre 30‑255 PS, hand-wound, 65-hour power reserve, hours, minutes, small seconds – Alligator leather strap – ref. 6119R-001 and 6119G-001 – EUR 25,800

Patek Philippe Chronograph Annual Calendar 5905/1A

The combination of an annual calendar and a chronograph isn’t new for Patek Philippe. So is the most appreciated watch to house such a movement, the reference 5905. What’s fairly unusual, however, is to see such a complex movement housed in a stainless steel case. We’ve seen it already with the slightly weird 5960/1A, with the same base movement and a sporty look and a smaller case. But never in the more modern 5905 with 42mm case, which has previously been available in rose gold with a chocolate dial or in platinum with a blue or black dial. And for 2021, this watch now comes in a casual, very attractive steel version, with a steel bracelet and, unsurprisingly, an olive green dial. The result is nevertheless very satisfying, with an interesting mix of complexity, practicality and casualness, making for a great daily-wearer. And as we’ve explained in the past, the annual calendar might well be the best compromise between the too simple full calendar and the fragile QP.

All the details on the Patek Philippe Chronograph Annual Calendar 5905/1A are in our article here.

Quick facts: 42mm x 14.13mm – stainless steel case, polished – olive green sunray-brushed dial – Calibre CH 28-520 QA 24H, in-house, integrated automatic flyback chronograph with column-wheel and annual calendar module – 3-link polished stainless steel bracelet – ref. 5905/1A-001 – EUR 51,500

Patek Philippe Advanced Research 5750 Minute Repeater

Last but clearly not least, Patek Philippe closed the year with a truly impressive watch, focused on innovation and part of its praised Advanced Research collection, the 5750 Minute Repeater. A new technical project that aims at improving the sound of the minute repeater, this new, very limited model is using traditional techniques and innovative materials in order to make the sound of the repeater louder, clearer and even more musical. It uses multiple technical tricks to amplify the sound, such as an oscillating wafer made of synthetic sapphire and a steel sound lever attached to the hammers – and thus, the movement is still visible through the caseback. And there are many more solutions involved in this watch. The look is, on the other hand, more debatable, with this openworked dial. Surely the execution is impeccable but the result might not be to everyone’s liking. Nevertheless, the Advanced Research 5750 Minute Repeater is a superb way to give an end to 2021.

All the details about the Patek Philippe Advanced Research 5750 Minute Repeater are in this article.

Quick facts: 40mm x 11.1mm – 950 platinum case – dial in white gold, black nickel-plated snailed base, openworked ray motif – Calibre R 27 PS, in-house, automatic minute repeater with micro-rotor, Patented fortissimo “ff” system for sound amplification – Hand-stitched orange alligator leather – ref. 5750P limited to 15 pieces – CHF 590,000

For more details, please visit patek.com.