It isn’t on daily basis that Patek Philippe introduces a wholly new assortment, particularly a brand new vary of stylish sports activities watches. However right here it’s, and it’s referred to as the Patek Philippe Cubitus. Three years after discontinuing the celebrated stainless-steel blue Nautilus 5711 – or two years, if we embrace the farewell Olive Inexperienced and Tiffany editions – collectors across the globe have been eagerly awaiting a alternative for the metal 5711A and doubtless didn’t anticipate that the Genevan family-owned model would introduce a complete assortment; the Cubitus vary comprising of the metal 5821A, the steel-and-gold 5821AR and the extra complicated Instantaneous Grand Date platinum 5822P. Whereas the rumours on Instagram have been already floating round, together with many opinions, we felt it’s greatest to go hands-on with the a lot anticipated Patek Philippe Cubitus Assortment.
Earlier than we dive into the small print of this new Patek Philippe Cubitus assortment, let me deliver you a little bit of context. Cubitus is a vital launch for Patek and the watch-collecting group. Little question about it. If the Geneva-based model is slightly prolific in terms of launching new creations, we will’t say the identical concerning new collections. Trying on the previous many years, we’ve seen numerous new and unprecedented fashions being launched – such because the stunning Pilot’s watches – however most of them have been a part of an present assortment. With regards to totally new collections (placing apart the female Twenty~4 in 1999 and Twenty~4 Automated in 2018), the final time we noticed a brand new design and a brand new assortment identify was in 1997, with the launch of the Aquanaut. And earlier than that, it was the Gondolo in 1993 and, in fact, the Nautilus in 1976.
Having stated that, you may really feel the significance of as we speak’s launch of a brand new assortment by Patek Philippe, particularly a chic sports activities watch with built-in bracelet. Realizing the immense aura and recognition of the metal Nautilus and the eagerness of collectors to see a alternative in stainless-steel since its discontinuation in 2022, the launch of the Patek Philippe Cubitus (the Cubic Nautilus…?) was a lot anticipated. And right here it’s, within the steel, in three variations, together with a full-steel time-and-date mannequin, the Cubitus 5821A.
Cubitus, the sq. evolution of the nautilus?
The Patek Philippe Cubitus is a brand new interpretation of a really well-known idea of the model, the sporty-chic watch or built-in luxurious sports activities watch, a class that the model mastered because the creation of the Nautilus in 1976 with the reference 3700. Its trendy evolution, the metal 5711, is doubtlessly essentially the most revered watch on this section and, as such, has created a strong background for the model on this area – which comes with a number of collaterals, comparable to an “untouchable icon” standing.
With Cubitus, Patek Philippe comes again in the identical section because the Nautilus, but with a brand new, extra angular, sharper interpretation. There’s absolutely much more geometry in Cubitus than in Nautilus, a watch that is called pretty delicate within the luxurious sports activities class – one thing that’s at all times been its primary level of differentiation with the very angular Royal Oak, its long-time rival. With the Cubitus, Patek brings what it calls a quadrangular-shaped case, the place the sq. bezel (sure, Cubitus is before everything a sq. watch) adopts rounded corners, someway mixing the sq. and the octagon.
However having stated that, there’s an simple connection between Cubitus and Nautilus. Placing each watches aspect by aspect would reveal apparent similarities and acquainted traits, comparable to the 2 attachments, one on both aspect of the case (the well-known hinges of the Nautilus), the two-part development that was first seen in 1976 with the 3700, the general form of the lugs, at 12 and 6 o’clock, the general profile, the embossed dial sample, and even the bracelet. In actual fact, the Patek Philippe Cubitus looks like Nautilus the place all curves have been changed by straight traces. It’s undoubtedly extra placing and extra dynamic, but it surely’s undeniably recognizable too. And it’s, as I might attest when seeing the watches within the steel, a lot better in actual life than what some might need stated on social media…
Proportions and case design
As stated, the Cubitus Assortment is offered with three variants; two time-and-date fashions on built-in steel bracelets and a higher-end, extra complicated model in platinum with a strap. Now that we have now talked about that, all three fashions share the identical total design and proportions (besides the thickness of the 5822P). As most of you realize, sq. watches are inclined to put on bigger than what dimensions recommend – it’s all in regards to the space coated by the watch. So what in regards to the Cubitus? Properly, sure, it wears bigger than a Nautilus and has extra wrist presence. No debate. The sq. case covers extra floor space on the wrist than the extra rounded case of a Nautilus or an Aquanaut of equal diameter.
However it’s removed from adverse and the Patek Cubitus just isn’t an outsized watch. By no means. Regardless of the given dimensions (10-4 o’clock measurement marketed by Patek is 45mm), it truly wears a lot smaller than you’d anticipate! It’s pleasantly balanced and has an awesome “wrist presence.” That is additionally on account of its slightly nice thinness.
The remainder of the size are 44.5mm width (3-9 o’clock) together with the crown and a really quick 44.9mm lug-to-lug (with out the primary hyperlink of the bracelet). The thickness of the case is 8.3mm for the time-and-date mannequin, and the difficult 5822P measures 9.6mm. The case, whether or not in metal, in a mixture of metal and rose gold or in 950 platinum, retains basic Patek finishes, with vertical satin-finished surfaces mixed with polished bevels on the edges of the bezel and the central case.
The 2-part case of the Patek Cubitus is in any other case acquainted, and it features a screw-down crown in addition to sapphire crystals on either side. Regardless of this development and options, it’s like all Patek watches marketed as waterproof to 30 metres – which has been some extent of debate amongst the watch-collecting group since early 2024. In all equity, it’s definitely able to greater than that.
The time-and-date Cubitus 5821A and 5821AR
In all probability an important of all three fashions, the Cubitus 5821A is a basic metal model worn on a metal bracelet, with a time-and-date show and a darkish dial – the essence of a chic sports activities watch. This less complicated dial and show additionally permit for the case and its unique, slightly cubic form to precise itself much more. The identical watch can be out there in a two-tone, steel-and-gold version, additionally outfitted with an built-in steel bracelet, the Cubitus 5821AR.
So right here we have now two classics of the style, with a slim profile of 8.3mm and an uncluttered dial. For each, the central case is made from metal, with the 5821AR including 18k rose gold on a number of components – the bezel and lateral module (a monoblock development), the crown and the central polished hyperlinks of the bracelet. This version additionally provides gold touches on its blue dial, with the markers, date body and fingers made from strong 18k rose gold.
The complete-steel Cubitus 5821A is extra basic, with its olive inexperienced dial, which inevitably evokes the farewell version of the metal Nautilus, the reference 5711/1A-014. It’s right here paired with white gold fingers and markers. On this subject, similar to for the case, the connection between the Cubitus and the Nautilus is simple, as each share the identical horizontal reduction embossing on the dial, adorned with a sunburst end. The fingers of the Patek Cubitus are additionally equivalent in form to the Nautilus and the utilized markers, whereas minimize and positioned in another way because of the form of the case, which is replicated on the dial, are additionally performed in the identical vein as a Nautilus. Luminescent coating is discovered on all components and the date disc is white, regardless of the color of the dial – one thing that has by no means been a problem with the 5711, and continues to be not for the Cubitus 5821A.
Let’s discuss in regards to the bracelet, because it performs an necessary position within the design of such a watch, but additionally in its consolation. Right here once more, the built-in bracelet shares acquainted traits and is tender, versatile and properly completed – vertical satin-brushed on the principle hyperlinks and polished on the central hyperlinks, with a sophisticated bevel on the edges. However importantly, the steel bracelet of the Patek Philippe Cubitus comes with a consolation extension that Patek describes as “a lockable size-adjustment system and a patented Patek Philippe fold-over clasp with 4 unbiased catches making certain each consolation and safety.” This implies the flexibility to barely enlarge the bracelet throughout hotter days. Nevertheless, there isn’t any quick-change system to change to a strap.
Each time-and-date Cubitus 5821 references are powered by the in-house calibre 26-330 S C; S C stands for Seconde Central. This automated motion with a central rotor is broadly utilized by Patek – it’s discovered, for example, within the 5811G, within the Aquanaut and serves as a base for complication watches. Launched in 2019 as a alternative for the calibre 324, it’s a effective, technically basic motion with stop-seconds, Gyromax stability, Spiromax hairspring and a 4Hz frequency. The facility reserve, with a most of 45 hours, continues to be on the quick aspect. It’s properly completed and comes with a Cubitus-exclusive rotor ornament, with the identical horizontal motif because the dial.
The metal Patek Philippe Cubitus 5821/1A will probably be priced at CHF 35,000 or EUR 40,575 and the steel-and-gold Cubitus 5821/1AR at CHF 52,000 or EUR 60,257.
The Cubitus Instantaneous Grand Date 5822P
Apart from the 2 basic time-and-date fashions, Patek Philippe additionally introduces a extra complicated, extra luxurious platinum version of the Cubitus, the Instantaneous Grand Date, Day and Moon Phases Reference 5822P, worn on a strap. And whereas it someway feels harking back to the Nautilus 5712, with its off-centred show, it incorporates a new set of issues, together with a giant date at 12 o’clock.
Apart from being made from 950 platinum (with the compulsory diamond at 6 o’clock, however this time a baguette-shaped one inserted within the bezel, a primary for Patek), the Cubitus 5822P has a barely totally different case from the remainder of the gathering. If the design and total proportions are equivalent to the 5821A, this Instantaneous Grand Date is barely thicker at 9.6mm in top, because of the extra complicated motion. It’s additionally the one mannequin from the gathering to not come on a metallic bracelet however as an alternative, it’s worn on a contemporary and informal navy-blue strap with cream contrasting stitching, comprised of composite materials embossed with a cloth motif. It’s secured by a Cubitus-signed fold-over clasp.
The dial of the 5822P bears the acquainted horizontal embossed sample, this time in a deep navy blue tone (harking back to the 5811G) and, as stated, a structure that’s near that of the 5712 – with the identical place for the small seconds and the moon section (identical “pointage” because the calibre 240 discovered on this model of the Nautilus). There are, nevertheless, a number of variations with the 5712, as the facility reserve indicator has been eliminated, the date surrounding the moon has been changed by a week-day indication and, principally, there’s now a two-disc large date at 12 o’clock. Patek has developed a brand new model of the emblematic micro-rotor calibre 240, a motion that may hint its origins again to 1977.
Whereas the bottom motion is well-known, the dial aspect of this new calibre is new and it includes 353 elements in whole (104 extra elements than the motion of the 5712), but solely measures 0.77mm extra in thickness. Patek has filed six patent functions for this particular calibre. So what’s all of it about? Properly, the plain novelty is the Grand Date (because the model calls it), a giant date show with two coplanar discs to keep away from superposition – this method is taken from the in-line perpetual calendar Reference 5236. Patek has additionally developed an instantaneous leap mechanism, not just for the grand date however for the day and moon-phase indications, with all of them leaping instantaneously and concurrently in 18 milliseconds at midnight, utilizing the power collected all through the day.
Regardless of these further and energy-consuming issues, the calibre 240 PS CI J LU retains the identical 38-48h energy reserve ranking as all 240 actions. Indications will be adjusted through the use of correctors set into the flanks of the case, though it might be higher if performed by the crown. Nevertheless, the Cubitus 5822P has the potential of correcting all of the indications (together with the time and the day) at any hour of the day with out the chance of damaging the motion. Flipping the watch reveals the basic look of the 240 base calibre, with its refined finishes and a micro-rotor in strong gold with the identical horizontal ornament because the dial. The motion is regulated inside a spread of -1/+2 seconds/day, in keeping with the brand new standards of the manufacture since spring 2024.
The Patek Philippe Cubitus Instantaneous Grand Date 5822P will probably be priced at CHF 75,000 or EUR 86,908. For extra particulars, please go to patek.com.
