Basel 2008: Patek Philippe Ref. 5970J Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Watch

Patek Philippe has presented an 18K yellow gold version of their extremely desirable Ref. 5970 Chronograph Perpetual Calendar, which has been available in both white and rose gold since 2004.  The case shares the same elegant design as its stablemates, and measures 40mm in diameter.  The silvered opaline dial features applied polished gold hour indexes and leaf-shaped hands.  Sapphire crystals are fitted to both sides of the watch, whose water resistance is rated at 30 meters.  The strap is in crocodile, and fitted with a folding clasp in 18K yellow gold.

The Patek Philippe Ref. 5970J Chronograph Perpetual Calendar watch utilizes the extraordinary CH 27-70 Q movement.  This horizontally-coupled column wheel chronograph caliber is produced by Nouvelle Lemania exclusively for Patek Philippe; in addition to the chronograph functions, this caliber also features a complex perpetual calendar function which indicates 24-hours, day, date, month, moon phases, and leap year, automatically correcting itself in accordance with the changing length of months throughout the year.  The manually-wound caliber is comprised of 353 individual parts, each of which has been finished by hand.  The Gyromax balance wheel is freely sprung, and alternates 18,000 times per hour.  Due to the extensive aesthetic and functional decoration, as well as its impeccable traditional constructive quality, the CH 27-70 Q caliber has earned the Geneva Seal.