The watch world has been abuzz with anticipation, and now the wait is over. Patek Philippe, the revered name synonymous with unparalleled craftsmanship and luxury timepieces, has finally introduced a square watch – the Cubitus. This groundbreaking collection marks the first significant release from the brand in a quarter-century, a testament to their meticulous approach to innovation and the enduring legacy they strive to uphold.
The Cubitus represents a bold departure for Patek Philippe, described in their press release as a “completely new interpretation of the ‘elegant sporty’ style”. In essence, the Cubitus boasts a square case with rounded corners, adorned with four lateral screws in the ‘ears’ on the sides – a design element that unmistakably positions it as a sibling of the brand’s legendary Nautilus.
The genesis of this iconic new shape can be traced back to Patek Philippe president, Thierry Stern. He reveals in a statement on the collection’s webpage, “Since I was quite young, I always challenged myself to say, ‘I need to have also a beautiful square watch in the collection.’ ” The Cubitus can be seen as the culmination of this long-held dream, a significant milestone for Stern’s legacy at Patek Philippe.
While Patek Philippe has a history of creating quadrangular shaped cases, the Cubitus marks the first contemporary collection squarely targeted at men. The only other square offering in their lineup is the Twenty~4, a ladies’ model inspired by a manchette cuff. The Cubitus collection launches with three captivating references: the Cubitus Instantaneous Grand Date, Day and Moon Phases ref. 5822P-001 in platinum, ref. 5821/1AR-001 with date display in rose gold and steel with a blue dial, and the ref. 5821/1A-001 with date display in full steel with an olive green dial. Each of these meticulously crafted masterpieces features a substantial 45mm diameter case.
The most horologically impressive among the trio is undoubtedly the Instantaneous Grand Date, Day and Moon Phases model in platinum. This exceptional timepiece showcases the newly developed calibre 240 PS CI J LU, a self-winding movement that incorporates six patents to optimize the jumping mechanism of its various displays. This innovative movement eliminates a common shortcoming of timepieces with a date display, eradicating the ‘danger zone’ hours that posed a risk of damaging the mechanism. The Cubitus Instantaneous Grand Date, Day and Moon Phases allows for seamless and worry-free adjustment of both time and date.
Patek Philippe aficionados will appreciate a subtle yet significant detail: the diamond traditionally set into the bezel at 6 o’clock on platinum models. Typically a round brilliant, the Cubitus diamond is instead a rectangular baguette-cut, harmonizing with the geometric character of the watch.
The Cubitus collection also embraces exquisite finishing that accentuates its unique shape. The case’s front and the bezel’s flat planes are vertically satin-brushed, while the chamfered edges and case flanks showcase a polished finish. The dials feature horizontal embossing in relief, with a sunburst finish in blue on the platinum and two-tone models, and olive green on the full steel models. This intricate detailing extends to the rotors and mini-rotors, which are adorned with horizontal decoration instead of the traditional vertical Côtes de Genève stripes.
The Cubitus represents a bold and sophisticated evolution for Patek Philippe. It’s not merely a square watch; it’s a testament to their unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and pushing the boundaries of horological excellence. This new collection is poised to captivate watch enthusiasts and collectors alike, solidifying Patek Philippe’s position as a leader in the world of luxury timepieces.