The perpetual calendar has long been a complication offered by the prestigious Swiss manufacturer Patek Philippe - first in pocket watches and later in wristwatch form by the early 20th century. In 1925, Patek produced watch number 97975, their first known perpetual calendar wristwatch made with a lady’s pendant watch movement and encased in yellow gold. While this timepiece has resembled more closely a pocket watch, the complicated, ultra-thin, and miniaturized mechanism within demonstrated their superior workmanship, and Patek Philippe’s drive to bring innovation to wristwatches. Their first serially produced perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phase, the reference 1526 was launched in 1941 and was the world’s first. It remained in production until 1952, and since that time has spawned an exceptional line of iconic perpetual calendar wristwatches known for both for their classic designs and outstanding movements, including the famed automatic references 3448, 3450, and 3940.

Ref Variations: 5496P ,5496P-001 ,5496P-014 ,5496PA ,