Released in 2014 to celebrate 175 years of Patek Philippe, the Multi-Scale Chronograph ref. 5975J is a uniquely designed timepiece that paradoxically breaks from tradition and convention while still referencing the importance that those two tenets have been for Patek Philippe over their 175+ year-long history. A chronograph timepiece with no subdials, the ref. 5975J features a multi-scale dial like those popularised by Patek Philippe in the mid-1900s. Used to measure pulse rate, distance, and speed, these were tool watches that acted as wrist-mounted calculators, much like modern smartwatches. But, of course, with its lack of subdials, the ref. 5975J could not measure singular events all too well. With its design rooted in the practical uses for these multi-scale timepieces in the mid-19th century, the ref. 5975J is a wonderful celebration of Patek's innovative heritage while reintroducing a design that is not often used in modern watchmaking anymore. With its entirely-polished 40mm 18kt yellow gold case sporting ornate stepped lugs and housing a creamy white dial, the ref. 5975J is a tremendously stylish timepiece with 12 intricate applied indices spotting its dial that match its 18kt yellow gold dauphine hands and case. Furthermore, as a mark of its heritage-inspired design, the ref. 5975 features bold inscriptions that result in a truly legible timepiece, like those that came before it, due to its function as a tool watch. A rare timepiece, just as much as it is a beautiful one, the ref. 5975J is one of just 400 yellow gold examples that were produced for the anniversary celebration, with another 900 examples produced of the ref. 5975J’s sibling variants, across three metals, pink gold, white gold and platinum.

Celebrating a landmark event for Patek, the ref. 5975J utilizes its heritage-inspired aesthetic and intricately constructed design to blend modern horology with a nostalgic design language that watch collectors have rightfully found to be wonderfully appealing.