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Updated Daily: January 2009

Ron DeCorte: Patek Philippe Ref 5960 Annual Calendar Chronograph

The Ref 5960, Patek Philippe's first in-house chronograph, is generating great excitement among enthusiasts. In an exclusive review, master watchmaker Ron DeCorte gets between the plates for a detailed look at this instant classic.

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Picture of escapement arrangement
 

Another interesting aspect of the Patek 5960 is the escapement arrangement. In most watches the escapement is arranged in a radial pattern along the perimeter of the watch. But in this case the escapement faces the center of the watch.

(Drawing courtesy of Patek Philippe)

Annual Calendar

The annual calendar, shown above, is an ingenious mechanism capable of self adjustment for months with 30 or 31 days. Hence the calendar is only required to be adjusted once per year (annual) rather than the typical 5 times per year with a conventional calendar mechanism. Only a perpetual calendar, capable of adjusting for months with 28, 29, 30, and 31 days, requires less adjusting provided the watch is constantly running.

  
 
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