The backstory of the Patek Phillipe 5205G. In 1991, the final year students at the Geneva School of Engineering were presented with a diploma topic: Simplify the perpetual calendar by getting rid of the fragile racks, cams and jumper springs to produce a movement with a similar function.

This of course was the birth story of the annual calendar complication which Patek patented in collaboration with the budding engineering minds. 5 years later, the 5035 was presented as the world’s first annual calendar that bridged the void between a triple date and the formidable quantième perpétue.

In 2004, the updated Cal 324/205 beating inside Ref 5135, with its just as innovative triple arched aperture calendar display, was born. This then brings us to Patek Phillipe 5205G which premiered in Basel World 2010 to replace Ref 5135. After a few iterations with different dial tones and case metals, Patek arrived at the current 5205G-013.

With a contemporary size of 40mm, the fully polished sculpted case with concave bezel and pierced lugs breathes a youthful, vogueish whiff over the historic brand. At 11.4mm tall, those with more refined sartorial tastes needn’t worry about cuff incompatibility, which is assisted by the sloping bezel.

The lacquered dial which radiates from deep navy to midnight blue at the periphery is in my opinion, the epitome of the 5205 series. The shimmering white gold indices set upon the twilight dial allude to a whimsical romance with the starry moon-phase indicator. One marvels at the intricate balance between the artistry dial and practicality of the day, date and month indicators on full display spanning the arc between 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock.

On the backside of the Patek Phillipe 5205G, the 324 base calibre is in full view through the sapphire case back. No surprises here, as this is the same workhorse calibre seen in entry models offered by the brand. With that said, it is still a pretty movement complete with all the flourishes worthy of the Patek seal – whatever that means. The standard factory alligator strap with matching white gold pin buckle is nothing to write home about either.