Last year was an entire anniversary of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut series. Patek Philippe brought a lot of heavyweight models. I didn’t think there would be a big move this year. As a result, Patek Philippe unexpectedly launched a very ‘coquette ”S work-5968A-001. The Aquanaut series is similar to a grenade because of the texture of the disk design, so the folk also call it a grenade. 5968A is Patek Philippe’s first Aquanaut series watch with chronograph function. I think this is probably the simplest chronograph of all watches.
The Aquanaut collection was born in 1997 and is a model of modern casual fashion. The collection is young, modern and unique, and it was a great success once launched. Although the Aquanaut series has always had a very strong sense of movement, the overall style has always retained a certain calm style, and it is more cautious in color selection. I don’t know if it is a test water or a bold breakthrough. 5968A is obviously a ground-breaking watch among Patek Philippe men’s watches because it shows the young vitality of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut series. After all, it is only 21 years old.
This new Ref. 5968A-001 stainless steel watch has a unique and exquisite appearance, combining the chronograph function with the exclusive design of the Aquanaut series. The 60-minute cumulative timer at 6 o’clock uses the classic outline of a rounded octagonal bezel. Slender buttons on both sides of the crown protector are harmonious and natural. The chronograph display (chronograph hands, outer-quarter orbital scale accurate to a quarter of a second, 60-minute cumulative timer) with orange markings contrasts with the black dial with the embossed decorative pattern of the Aquanaut series. Platinum three-dimensional Arabic numerals and widened rod-shaped hands are coated with fluorescent coating to ensure legibility.
In order to meet the needs of different occasions in sports life, Patek Philippe has equipped the new Ref. 5968A-001 watch with a CH 28-520 C Caliber self-winding flyback chronograph movement, which perfectly integrates tradition and innovation. This watch combines classic star wheel control with modern vertical clutches, the latter of which prevents the hands from bouncing or bouncing when the timing function is activated. Because the clutch hardly causes friction, the central chronograph seconds hand can also be used as a continuously rotating central seconds hand, eliminating the need for a small seconds dial. The flyback function can start a new timing directly when the chronograph hands rotate, without resetting. With the stop-second function, the chronograph second hand is instantly transformed into a continuous second hand, which is convenient for synchronizing the watch with the time signal.
Thanks to the screw-in crown, the case is water-resistant to 120 meters. The front and sides of the case are exquisitely matte, and they shine like a smooth, beveled polished bezel.
The composite material strap is like a dial, with an embossed decorative pattern. It fits the wrist, is comfortable and durable, and can resist the erosion of sea water and ultraviolet rays.
Patek Philippe specially paired this watch with two straps: a standard black strap and an orange strap that highlights the novel design of the dial. Patek Philippe equips the new Ref. 5968A-001 watch with a new folding clasp to ensure ease of use.
Simplicity does not mean simplicity. The watch is priced at RMB 329700.
For more details, please pay attention to the live feature of the Basel Watch Fair: