Patek Philippe has introduced the Cubitus Collection. It is Patek Philippe’s first new collection in 25 years. A square watch collection, the three debut models include 5821/1A-001, 5821/1AR-001, and 5822P-001. It is the brand’s “new interpretation of the “elegant sporty” style.”
“Endowed with a highly original square-shaped case with rounded corners and a dial adorned with horizontal relief embossing, the new Cubitus (registered design) makes its debut in three versions, each with its own strong character.”
Cubitus Reference 5821/1A-001 – “Sporty elegance par excellence in a model with a steel case and bracelet and an olive-green sunburst dial.” (Header image: far left, lying down.)
Cubitus Reference 5821/1AR-001 – “A two-tone version in steel and rose gold with a vintage touch, featuring a blue sunburst dial.” (Header image: far right, tilted.)
Cubitus Instantaneous Grand Date, Day and Moon Phases Reference 5822P-001 – “A technical model endowed with a new complication, in a movement for which six patent applications have been filed.” (Header image: middle.)
Key features of the Cubitus Reference 5821/1A-001
Functions and Operation
Central hours, minutes, and seconds.
Date at 3 o’clock.
Stop-seconds function.
Crown to wind the watch (unscrewed 1st position), set the date (pulled out 2nd position), and set the time and stop-seconds (pulled out 3rd position).
Dial
Olive green dial with a horizontally embossed sunray pattern.
Rounded baton-style hour and minute hands made from white gold with white luminescent coating.
Seconds hand is rhodium plated.
12 baton-style applied hour-markers (2 for 12 o’clock), made from white gold with white luminescent coating.
Date aperture frame at 3 o’clock made from white gold.
Movement
Image: Caseback view of Caliber 26-330 S C. The horizontal pattern on the 21K gold rotor is the same as the dial. This is a high-end “workhorse” automatic movement for Patek Philippe.
Powered by Caliber 26-330 S C, an automatic movement designed and developed by Patek Philippe.
Powers the hours, minutes, seconds, date and stop-seconds function.
Diameter 27 mm. Thickness 3.30 mm.
Number of parts 212. Jewels 30.
Frequency 28,800 vph or 4 Hz.
Power reserve: Minimum 35 hours – Maximum 45 hours.
Movement features: 21K gold central winding rotor featuring a horizontal pattern, same as dial. Unidirectional winding. Gyromax® balance. Spiromax ® (in Silinvar®) balance spring. Adjustable balance spring stud.
Movement (and rest of the watch) is hallmarked by the Patek Philippe Seal.
Case and Bracelet
Image: Patek Philippe’s Calatrava cross is embossed on the screw-down crown at 3 o’clock.
“Two-part square-shaped case with rounded edges and side attachments” made from steel.
Case diameter (10 – 4 o’clock) 45 mm. Height 8.30 mm.
Dial and caseback feature a sapphire crystal.
Screw-down crown at 3 o’clock. The brand’s Calatrava cross is embossed on the crown.
Water resistant up to 30 metres.
Bracelet made from steel. Features a “patented Patek Philippe fold-over clasp and lockable adjustment system.”
Case, bezel, and bracelet feature a contrast of polished and satin-finishes.
Key features of the Cubitus Reference 5821/1AR-001
Functions and Operation
Central hours, minutes, and seconds.
Date at 3 o’clock.
Stop-seconds function.
Crown to wind the watch (unscrewed 1st position), set the date (pulled out 2nd position), and set the time and stop-seconds (pulled out 3rd position).
Dial
Left: Dials and hands from Nautilus collection. Rich in details. Right: Lume shot.
Blue dial with a horizontally embossed sunray pattern.
Rounded baton-style hour and minute hands made from rose gold with white luminescent coating.
Seconds hand is rhodium plated.
12 baton-style applied hour-markers (2 for 12 o’clock), made from rose gold with white luminescent coating.
Date aperture frame at 3 o’clock made from rose gold.
Movement
Powered by Caliber 26-330 S C, an automatic movement designed and developed by Patek Philippe.
Powers the hours, minutes, seconds, date and stop-seconds function.
Diameter 27 mm. Thickness 3.30 mm.
Number of parts 212. Jewels 30.
Frequency 28,800 vph or 4 Hz.
Power reserve: Minimum 35 hours – Maximum 45 hours.
Movement features: 21K gold central winding rotor featuring a horizontal pattern, same as dial. Unidirectional winding. Gyromax® balance. Spiromax ® (in Silinvar®) balance spring. Adjustable balance spring stud.
Movement (and rest of the watch) is hallmarked by the Patek Philippe Seal.
Case and Bracelet
Images: I love how Patek Philippe integrates steel and rose gold. Case making is an art, and Patek Philippe has abundant expertise in it.
“Two-part square-shaped case with rounded edges and side attachments” made from rose gold and steel.
Case diameter (10 – 4 o’clock) 45 mm. Height 8.30 mm.
Dial and caseback feature a sapphire crystal.
Screw-down crown at 3 o’clock. The brand’s Calatrava cross is embossed on the crown.
Water resistant up to 30 metres.
Bracelet made from rose gold and steel. Features a “patented Patek Philippe fold-over clasp and lockable adjustment system.”
Case, bezel, and bracelet feature a contrast of polished and satin-finishes.
Key features of the Cubitus Grand Date Reference 5822P/001
Functions and Operation
Central hours and minutes.
Instantaneous date at 12 o’clock.
Subdial at 7 o’clock: Instantaneous day of the week and instantaneous moon phase indication.
Subdial at 4.30: Small seconds.
Crown to wind the watch (unscrewed 1st position) and set the time (pulled out 2nd position).
Corrector at 8 o’clock: Day of the week correction.
Corrector at 10 o’clock: Date correction.
Corrector at 4 o’clock: Moon phase correction.
Dial
Blue dial with a horizontally embossed sunray pattern.
Rounded baton-style hour and minute hands made from white gold with white luminescent coating.
12 baton-style applied hour-markers (2 for 12 o’clock), made from white gold with white luminescent coating (white during the day and glows green in the dark.)
Grand Date displayed in a “twin aperture with a bevelled embossed frame” at 12 o’clock.
Subdial for day of the week and moon phase indicator features fine snailing. Day of the week hand is made from white gold and painted white.
Subdial for small seconds features fine snailing. Small seconds hand is made from white gold and painted white.
Movement
Left: Dial side view of Caliber 240 PS CI J LU. Right: Case back view. The horizontal pattern on the 22K gold mini rotor is the same as the dial. 6 patents have been filed for this caliber. It is horological technology unlike no other.
Powered by ultra-thin Caliber 240 PS CI J LU, an automatic movement designed and developed by Patek Philippe.
Powers the hours, minutes, small seconds, and instantaneous jump at midnight of the grand date, day of the week and moon phases.
6 patents are pending for this new movement, “notably relating to energy management for the various displays and their simultaneous 18-millisecond jumps.”
Diameter 31 mm. Thickness 4.76 mm.
Number of parts 353. Jewels 52.
Frequency 21,600 vph or 3 Hz.
Power reserve: Minimum 38 hours – Maximum 48 hours.
Movement features: Off-centre 22K gold mini rotor featuring a horizontal pattern, same as dial. Gyromax® balance. Spiromax® (in Silinvar®) balance spring. Adjustable balance spring stud.
Movement (and rest of the watch) is hallmarked by the Patek Philippe Seal.
Case and Bracelet
Left: The baguette-cut diamond at 6 o’clock denotes the case is made from platinum. Right: The watch’s navy-blue ultra-resistant composite material strap with a fabric pattern and cream stitching. The font used to emboss “CUBITUS” looks cool.
“Two-part square-shaped case with rounded edges and side attachments” made from 950 platinum.
Case diameter (10 – 4 o’clock) 45 mm. Height 9.60 mm.
Dial and caseback feature a sapphire crystal.
Screw-down crown at 3 o’clock. The brand’s Calatrava cross is embossed on the crown.
Water resistant up to 30 metres.
Platinum case and bezel feature a contrast of polished and satin-finishes.
A baguette-cut diamond (0.02 carat) is set into the bezel at 6 o’clock, a typical Patek Philippe feature (usually a round diamond) to denote platinum cases.
Watch comes with a navy-blue ultra-resistant composite material strap with a fabric pattern and cream stitching. It is attached to a fold-over clasp made from 950 platinum. “CUBITUS” is embossed on the clasp.
Our Thoughts
Patek Philippe is the watchmaking world’s equivalent of Ferrari. When both launch a new model, it can bring the world to a standstill. Launched during 17th October at an event in Munich, Germany, the Cubitus is Patek Philippe’s first new collection in 25 years, (By sheer coincidence, Ferrari launched the F80 – the marque’s once in a decade supercar in Maranello, Italy, earlier the same day!)
The Cubitus received a not-so-positive media and social media reception. It is Patek Philippe after all, and expectations and emotions were running high. It was not love at first sight for me either. I have yet to warm up to the design. I do, however, like a few individual details of its case, and the horological technology behind the ultra-thin Caliber 240 PS CI J LU. As human beings, we are heavily prejudiced towards what we consider beautiful and acceptable designs. When we are confronted with unfamiliar territory, especially from a brand we love, disappointment, even shock, can creep in. It is quite possible that Patek Philippe’s Nautilus and Aquanaut collections met with a similar reception, only difference being there was no social media back then. The world was more laid back.
Patek Philippe is a long-term player, and the Cubitus Collection is here to stay. The word on the street is that the brand has already begun evolving the design. I am sure they will present different case sizes, dials, movements, complications, grand complications, and gem set pieces. A slightly reduced case diameter (10 – 4 o’clock) would appeal to me more. Before we know it, the Cubitus will be a much-loved collection and an integral part of the Patek Philippe family.
In an industry dominated by round watches (commercially more successful), I wish the Cubitus Collection inspires other watch brands to launch square watches (even rectangular). Not necessarily historically inspired, but rather modern interpretations of square watch designs. Patek Philippe belongs to a handful of watch brands (Rolex being another) that can lead and drive trends across the watch industry, (just as Ferrari and Porsche do in the automotive world). If other watch brands get inspired and begin working on square watch designs, the watch industry would become a great deal more interesting.
Additional Details
Name: Patek Philippe Cubitus
Reference: Reference 5821/1A-001 (Model with steel case and bracelet with olive-green sunburst dial.)
Price: Upon Request. According to online sources, United States Dollar (USD) 41,243.
Name: Patek Philippe Cubitus
Reference: Reference 5821/1AR-001 (Two-tone model in steel and rose gold with a blue sunburst dial.)
Price: Upon Request. According to online sources, United States Dollar (USD) 61,275.
Name: Patek Philippe Cubitus Instantaneous Grand Date, Day, and Moon Phases
Reference: Reference 5822P-001
Price: Upon Request. According to online sources, United States Dollar (USD) 88,378.
Please visit the Patek Philippe website and Instagram page for more information.
In Dubai, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is an Authorised Retailer for the brand.
