- The Patek Philippe Cubitus collection is the Swiss manufacture’s first new collection in 25 years
- The sports watch collection comprises three models, a technical reference in platinum and a time-and-date model in steel and steel and rose gold
- It’s the first square-shaped collection by Patek Philippe and is priced from approx. $61,000AUD ($41,250USD) to $132,000AUD ($88,378USD)
Look, there on his wrist! It’s a Nautilus! It’s a Santos! It’s a Royal Oak! It’s a drop shipped Temu knocko—no, it’s the new Patek Philippe Cubitus.
Something weird has happened. Patek Philippe has launched its first new collection in a quarter of a decade and it’s really…something. The last new collection the Swiss manufacture launched was the Twenty-4 in 1999, a collection that never quite found its stride. Prior to that, it was the Aquanaut in 1997 and the Gondolo in 1993, with both the Twenty-4 and Gondolo collections featuring rectangular watch cases in their lineups.
A quarter of a century is no small timeframe, so all eyes were on Munich when Patek Philippe announced a new collection. Strap in because it’s quite a sight to behold. The Patek Philippe Cubitus, is—as you might have guessed from the rather on the nose name—the manufacture’s first sports watch collection to feature a square case shape.
Related: Be There & Be Square; The Best Square & Rectangular Watches For Men
Rumours about the new collection have been swirling since 2021 when an astute member of the watch idiot savant (WIS) brigade spotted a trademark had been filed for the ‘Cubitus’ name. Then, a few days before the launch, a ‘leaked’ advertisement of the Cubitus appeared in Fortune magazine, with many speculating the supposed leak was part of the manufacture’s marketing strategy. Intentional or not, the Patek Philippe Cubitus has now been officially released.
The collection comprises three references: 5822P, 5821/1A, and 5821/1AR. Each reference features a square-shaped case with rounded off corners and a horizontally embossed dial. Let’s explore them below.
5822P-001
Crafted from platinum and featuring a blue dial, this timepiece represents the most technically advanced model of the collection.
Marking a new movement and complication for Patek Philippe, it unites a big date, moon phase, and the day of the week on the dial, with each display changing instantaneously. It’s powered by the 240 PS CI J LU, a self-winding movement that boasts six patents, including ones for the distribution of the energy required for the various functions and their simultaneous instantaneous—well, 18 milliseconds, to be exact—jump forward.
Unlike the other two references in the Cubitus collection, the 5822P-001 is offered on a blue composite strap with a fabric pattern rather than on a bracelet. This is likely to keep both heft and prices down (as a full platinum bracelet would be accompanied by a price tag befitting of the precious metal), while tying into the sporty chic aesthetic.
Price: approx. $132,260AUD ($88,378USD)
Model: Cubitus Instantaneous Grand Date, Day and Moon Phases (ref. 5822P-001)
Case size: 45mm x 9.6mm x 44.9mm
Movement: 240 PS CI J LU (automatic)
Water resistance: 3ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, grand date, day, moon phases
Power reserve: 48 hours
5821/1A
Likely the sportiest of the bunch, the 5821/1A is a stainless steel model with an olive green dial. Those familiar with Patek Philippe nomenclature know that the ‘A’ at the end stands for the type of case material used. Here, it stands for ‘acier’, the French word for steel. It’s presented on an integrated bracelet that draws heavily from that of the Nautilus. The time-and-date model features white gold baton-shaped hour markers and hands, each of which has a white luminescent coating. It’s powered by the 26-330 S C, a new calibre based off the 26-330 which was introduced into the Nautilus collection in 2019.
Price: approx. $61,720AUD ($41,250USD)
Model: Cubitus (ref. 5821/1A)
Case size: 45mm x 8.3mm x 44.9mm
Movement: 26-330 S C (automatic)
Water resistance: 3ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 45 hours
5821/1AR
Finally, the 5821/1AR is a vintage-inspired two-tone model that pairs steel with rose gold. Like the 5821/1A, the 5821/1AR features an integrated bracelet, this time with the case, bezel, crown, and central bracelet links in gold. It’s teamed with a deep blue dial with the signature horizontally embossed detail. It’s likewise powered by the calibre 26-330 S C.
Price: approx. $91,700AUD ($61,276USD)
Model: Cubitus (ref. 5821/1AR)
Case size: 45mm x 8.3mm x 44.9mm
Movement: 26-330 S C (automatic)
Water resistance: 3ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 45 hours
Now, it doesn’t take a founding member of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève to spot the similarities between the new Patek Philippe Cubitus collection and the Nautilus. Retaining the horizontally embossed dial; integrated bracelet; and the combination of brushed and polished surfaces on the case and bracelet that the manufacture’s most famous sports watch is known for, it’s hard not to draw comparisons here. Throw in a case not dissimilar to the Cartier Santos and you have some rather chewable fodder for social media (*cue comparisons to everything from Bell & Ross to Temu*).
While Patek Philippe’s desire to cut itself a slice of the square watch market is relatively transparent here, the Swiss manufacture has deviated from the current trend towards smaller—and more ‘wearable’ for some—dress watches and dropped a trio of positively chonky sports watches. Clocking in at 45mm x 44.9mm, they’re a dominant force on the wrist. That said, the manufacture has placed an emphasis on keeping things slim; both the 5821/1A and 5821/1AR are powered by the ultra-thin 26-330 S C and have a width of 8.3mm, while the 5822P-001 measures in with a width of 9.6mm, which is no small feat considering its technical prowess.
Regardless of what you think of the Patek Philippe Cubitus collection, well, it’s Patek Philippe. There will always be a tranche of people who write a scathing Instagram comment with their left hand and dial their AD with their right.
If the idea of the Cubitus is still sounding a little dubious, perhaps you’d enjoy some of our other watch coverage?
- Try this roundup of the best (stylish!) square and rectangular watches on the market
- Or this one for the most elegant dress watches
- On a budget? These are the best watches under $1000USD
- If you’re going straight to LA, New York, Vegas, then Africa, you’ll likely benefit from a world time watch
Words by T. Angel
