For Watches & Wonders in 2023, Patek Philippe has leaned all the way in with a full seventeen new releases. Crunching the numbers, that’s more than 10% of their current catalog released in the last 24 hours. Among this whirlwind of lineup additions are two standouts from the Complications collection. Identified by reference number 5924G, these white gold pilot’s watches represent not just true aviation timepieces, but Patek’s surprising embrace of utilitarian style.
Watch fans will remember last year’s 5226G release, defined by its shocking departure from the formal, dressy appearance that has defined the Calatrava since its inception. Fully lumed numerals were an obvious addition for a pilot’s watch, but the Calatrava? No way. Or so we thought. As is often the case, the designers at Patek could well sense when things needed shaking up and thus, the 5226G was born. Circling back to the watch from whence the 5226G came, Patek has bolstered the already robust Complications collection. Adding chronograph functionality (combined with the existing features that made the watch great when it was reintroduced in 2015) make the new 5924G watches much more than haute horology wrist cheese — these are serious aviation watches.
Thanks to widespread standardization of movements, it’s not easy to find a pilot’s watch that offers both chronograph and GMT functionality in a sub-42mm case. For that, aviators (real or aspiring) must look to the watchmaking heavens where “the big boys” produce such complex mechanisms in-house. The clunkily-named Caliber CH 28‑520 C FUS movement from Patek Philippe is one such engine, featuring everything and the kitchen sink: a flyback chronograph with 60-minute counter, a date subdial, and — crucially — two time zones. Putting all this together (plus lume) means it’s a wholly useful tool that’s rare in watchmaking. Of course, it’s unlikely you’ll see one peeking out from the cockpit next time you board a Spirit Airlines flight, but you never know — keep an eye out anyway.
The vintage-styled 5924G additions to the Complications collection are available soon. Each white gold variant — lacquered khaki green and sunburst blue-gray — are listed at $75,700 USD. Learn more at Patek Philippe’s site.
Specifications:
Brand: Patek Philippe
Model: Complications 5924G
Dimensions: 42mm diameter, 13.05mm thick
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Case Material: White gold
Movement: Caliber CH 28‑520 C FUS Automatic. Flyback chronograph. Central chronograph hand. 60-minute counter. Two time zones: local and home time indication. Day/night indication for local time and home time in apertures. Date coupled with local time by hand.
Power Reserve: 55 hours
Strap/Bracelet: Khaki green with vintage finish or navy blue calfskin, grained. Clevis prong buckle.
Price & Availability: $75,700 USD. Available soon.
