Watches And Wonders 2026: Patek Philippe Gives The Cubitus Its First Grand Complication- The Perpetual Calendar

With the Reference 5840P-001, Patek Philippe introduces the first Grand Complication within its Patek Philippe Cubitus line, marking a significant evolution for this relatively young collection. The watch brings together mechanical complexity and a distinctly modern aesthetic, expressed through a fully skeletonized architecture where every component contributes both functionally and visually.

From the outset, the Cubitus collection has explored the idea of sporty elegance through a contemporary lens. First introduced in 2024 with large-format models in steel, gold and platinum, and later expanded in 2025 with more compact references, the collection now steps into high complication territory. The 5840P-001 does so with confidence, pairing a perpetual calendar with a square-shaped openworked movement designed specifically for the case. 

At the heart of the watch is the new caliber 28-28 Q SQU, a movement conceived as an extension of the case itself. Its square form, softened by rounded corners, mirrors the geometry of the Cubitus design. The skeletonization follows the same visual language, with openworked bridges echoing the linear motifs seen across the collection’s dials. Despite the technical challenges of removing material, the structure retains the robustness and reliability expected from the manufacture.

For the first time in a Patek Philippe movement, a monochrome aesthetic dominates. Plates, bridges, wheels, balance and even the 22K gold mini-rotor share a uniform rhodium-plated finish, creating a clean and contemporary look. Subtle accents appear in the heat-blued screws and the engraved Calatrava Cross on the rotor. Even the functional jewels have been rethought, with transparent sapphire replacing the traditional red rubies, except where visibility is required for precision timing adjustments.

Comprising 313 components, the movement displays hours and minutes in both 12- and 24-hour formats, along with small seconds, day, date, month, leap year indication and moon phases. Its perpetual calendar is built around the traditional 48-month cam, a hallmark of the caliber 240 family from which it is derived. This cam completes one rotation every four years, encoding the full cycle of months and leap years. By reading the varying depths of its segments, the mechanism automatically adjusts for months of different lengths, requiring no correction except in century years not divisible by 400.

One of the most striking features of the watch is its large moon-phase display, a first for a regular production model. Unlike traditional systems that use a rotating disk with two moons, this mechanism features a single oversized moon completing one full rotation every 29.53 days. The result is a more immersive and realistic representation. The execution of this display is particularly refined. Two ultra-thin mineral glass disks are used to create depth and detail. The first forms the starry sky, with engraved and metallized stars set against a deep blue varnish. The second, representing the moon, is laser-structured and metallized to recreate the texture and relief of the lunar surface with remarkable precision.

The entire composition is housed in a platinum case, chosen for its density and prestige. Measuring 45 mm in diameter, the case retains the Cubitus collection’s signature square form with rounded edges, as well as its two-part construction with lateral lugs. Despite the complexity of the movement, the case remains impressively slim at just 10 mm thick. Alternating polished and vertically satin-brushed finishes enhance the geometry, while a baguette-cut diamond set at 6 o’clock serves as a discreet signature of Patek Philippe’s platinum pieces. The dial continues the interplay between structure and transparency. Its openworked design is inspired by the linear pattern of the Cubitus collection, with fine laser-cut strips aligning seamlessly with the movement beneath. A blue PVD coating with a horizontal satin-brushed finish adds contrast and depth. White gold hour markers, treated with luminescent coating, appear almost suspended above the dial, while baton-style hands ensure legibility against the intricate backdrop.

The watch is completed with a navy blue composite strap featuring a textile motif and cream contrast stitching, reinforcing its modern, technical character. It is secured by a platinum folding clasp with three independent catches, engraved with the Cubitus name. With the Reference 5840P-001, Patek Philippe demonstrates how a young collection can quickly evolve into a platform for high watchmaking. It is a watch where architecture, mechanics and design are conceived as one, resulting in a perpetual calendar that feels as contemporary as it is technically accomplished.