With a rich history filled with technical innovation, beautiful timepieces, and artisanal craftsmanship, Patek Philippe’s reputation is well-established. Amongst their most famous innovations is the perpetual calendar wristwatch, which, of course, displays the month, day, and date correctly throughout the entire year, even correctly accounting for leap years. Within this complicated family of watches is the ref. 5940J, which was launched in 2012 and produced until 2016 and is what we have here. Featuring a unique cushion-shaped case crafted from 18kt yellow gold that was inspired by the 1920's case design that Patek often used for their early classical watches, the ref. 5940J s polished across the entirety of its surfaces, with soft lugs that flow from mid-case to lug tip. Comfortable on the wrist thanks to its 37mm x 44.6mm profile, the ref. 5940J packs a stylish punch thanks to its silver dial that tops off its luxurious aesthetic, thanks to its serif font and applied yellow gold Breguet numerals that feed the heritage-inspired theme as Patek pays homage to Breguet. With its stepped subdials at 3 and 9 o'clock containing the day, a dual-time display, the month, and leap year, the ref. 5940's dial is simultaneously information-rich and legible. With a moon phase display harboured within the pointer date display at 6 o’clock, the ref. 5940J's dial is filled so that it complements the simplicity of its polished case tastefully and without drawing too much attention.

Combining one of horology's most impressive complications with an unusual case shape and Patek's exceptional craftsmanship, the ref. 5940J is a snapshot into the rare occasion when Patek Philippe breaks from their own sense of tradition and creates something unlike anything they have produced in several decades.