Artful Complexity: The Patek Philippe 5372P-001 Split-Seconds Chronograph Perpetual Calendar

When thinking of what Patek calls its Grand Complications collection, most collectors will recall the brand’s tradition of crafting perpetual calendar chronographs before thinking of a watch like the Patek Philippe 5372P-001 Split-Seconds Chronograph Perpetual Calendar. Complicated watchmaking like that is impressive on its own, but there is something oddly satisfying about having a practical set of functions on your wrist. Over the last 20 years the combination of more “useful” complications, contemporary case sizes (40mm and above), and occasional appearances on the wrists of well-known celebrities have brought Patek’s perpetual calendar chronographs out of obscurity and into the spotlight.

Though these references are the most frequently sighted, they are not the ceiling of the brand’s capabilities. A further dig into the catalog reveals both split-seconds chronographs with a perpetual calendar, and monopusher chronographs with a perpetual calendar. One of the of the finest modern examples of the latter is our topic at hand today.

History

Patek Philippe started making perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches in 1941, starting with the reference 1518. 1518s were 35mm wide, and were powered by heavily modified Valjoux-based movements that were finished to a high enough standard to be stamped with the Geneva seal. The 35mm size is notable, as Patek Philippe has often made some of the most complicated watches in smaller case sizes. If the complications alone weren’t enough to show off the talents of the brand’s watchmakers, being able to make them in compact sizes certainly was.

After the 1518, Patek Philippe produced the reference 2499 in 1951, then the reference 3970 in 1986, with multiple updates and iterations in between each reference. In 1996, Patek Philippe released the 5004, which added the split-second functionality to the existing perpetual calendar chronograph for the first time. This watch is quite impressive, in part due to its case only increasing in diameter by one millimeter. The 5004 used a Lemania-based caliber, with a module placed on top to achieve the split-second functionality. While the diameter remained wearable, significant depth was added to the watch. 

The final steps that led us to the Patek 5372P all occurred within the last 20 years. The 2005 arrival of the reference 5959 ushered in Patek’s first in-house manufacture chronograph caliber — one that arrived with a split-seconds complication, no less. In 2010, the reference 5951 was fitted with the in-house manufacture CHR 27-525 PS Q movement, which is the thinnest movement produced to include both the split-seconds chronograph function and a perpetual calendar. This caliber found a home in the 5372P when it launched in 2017, and remaining in production until 2022.  

Design Details

For those less familiar with this reference, you maybe wondering how this watch could be called a monopusher chronograph, when there are indeed two pushers. The monopusher nomenclature applies only to the start-stop-reset function of the chronograph, which is operated by the pusher inset in its screw-down crown. The additional pusher located at 2 o’clock is for activating the split-second function, allowing for the timing of multiple events. 

Continuing with the case, the entire front and rear facia of this platinum reference are mirror polished. A notable detail is the side of the case, where there is a brushed surface that is slightly recessed from the main case, contrasted by polished caps to the spring bar holes. The exhibition caseback snaps down, and there is an additional solid platinum caseback included. The case is rated to 30 meters of water resistance, but taking a highly complicated and coveted Patek Philippe near water is likely not advisable, especially one fitted with a leather strap. As with all platinum Patek Philippe watches, there is a small diamond hidden in the side of the case, located at 6 o’clock.

The dial has a blue sunray brushed finish, with applied white gold Arabic numerals. The hour and minute hands are highly polished, and the chronograph seconds hand and sub-register hands are painted white to provide necessary contrast. The running seconds hand is located at 9 o’clock, the date at 6 o’clock, and the chronograph minutes located at 3 o’clock. The perpetual calendar indications include the day, date, month, moonphase, leap year, and day/night. 

The overall styling is very conservative, as is typical of the brand. That said, the finishing details, especially the sides of the case, make the watch look and feel more contemporary. At 38.3 mm in diameter, this reference walks the line between modern and classic. Not so small that one could call it undersized, yet not so big as to fall outside the current norms of dress watch proportions. The 5372P is also relatively slim (12.93 mm) considering the complications lurking inside its case. While other perpetual calendar chronographs offered by Patek have grown to 41 mm in diameter, it is quite possible that the 5372P could have been shrunken down even further, but not without risking limiting its buyer demographic.

The watch is fitted with a blue alligator leather strap that uses quick release spring bars to allow for easy change of straps. Patek Philippe does include a full, high-polished platinum deployant buckle, signed with the Calatrava cross.

Inner Workings

The CHR-27-525 PS Q inside the reference 5372P is claimed by Patek Phillipe to be the thinnest split-seconds chronograph movement with a perpetual calendar ever produced. The movement measures 27.3mm in diameter, 7.3mm thick, consisting of 476 parts and 31 jewels. Given the complexity of the caliber, it’s not much of a surprise to see a modest power reserve range of between 38 hours and 48 hours, depending on whether or not the chronograph is engaged. Its 21,600 bph beat rate is also a factor in this statistic, further impacted by the compact overall size of the caliber. 

The finishing throughout this movement is incredibly impressive, and all of the exciting action parts of the watch are on full display, with the geartrain and balance wheel easily seen. There is a mix of Geneva striping, linear and radially brushed surfaces, black polishing, and exceptional anglage, all executed by hand. The anglage in particular is a treat on this caliber, as bridges and other components include a smattering of sharp interior angles that are especially challenging to finish in this manner. This myriad of different finishes in addition to the visible engagement of the chronograph mechanism of the watch will make the rear likely more exciting than the front. 

Versus The Competition

If the dream criteria for a watch was somehow a mono-pusher rattrapante chronograph with perpetual calendar, there are few direct alternatives to the Patek Philippe 5372P-001 Split-Seconds Chronograph Perpetual Calendar. However, there are other split-second perpetual calendar chronographs worth considering.

Staying with Patek Philippe, the 5204/1R is no slouch. Keeping with the more traditional two pusher layout for the chronograph, the split-seconds function is inset into the crown. Other than sacrificing the mono-pusher, the 5204/1R is still beautifully finished and is one of Patek’s hallmark Grand Complications.

Of contemporary brands that are offering a split-second chronograph perpetual calendar in their current or recent catalogue, the only one that comes to mind that could be a direct competitor would be the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar. It is more of a direct competitor to Patek Philippe’s 5204, but is equally high-end in terms of finish and overall quality. A. Lange & Söhne does make a very strong case for itself in regards to movement finishing. Lange chronograph movements have been noted amongst collectors for their architectural appearance and impeccable finishing.

In the realm of the high-end mono-pusher split-second chronograph perpetual calendar chronograph, Patek Philippe really stands alone. That being said, Patek’s 5204 and Lange’s 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar are spectacular watches that keep similar company.

Personality

The 5372P is a watch meant for the most dedicated of Patek Philippe collectors. With an original retail price above 500,000 CHF in 2021, this was intended for enthusiasts that understood that watchmaking to this level in regards to finishing and complication increases in costs exponentially. This also means that this watch is incredibly rare. These watches would have been originally purchased by longstanding clients. For the original buyers, a 5270 may already be in the collection, along with other complicated models. To purchase one on the secondary market, the level of understanding necessary stays the same, but the opportunity to jump ahead and own one of the heavy hitters is more possible without an extensive purchase history.

Final Thoughts

Leave it to Patek Philippe to manage to create an engineering marvel that is as good looking and as well finished as the 5372P. The complete package of a mono-pusher, rattrapante chronograph and a perpetual calendar is a unique offering. If seeing this combination of complications executed to the highest degree possible on wrist is a immediate desire, the Patek Philippe 5372P-001 Split-Seconds Chronograph Perpetual Calendar will not disappoint. 

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