Watches and Wonders 2025: Patek Philippe’s new Quadruple Complication and Cubitus
Apr 02, 2025
Patek Philippe presents several high-complication timepieces, including the year’s most complicated, the Quadruple Complication Reference 5308G-001, and a new iteration of the Cubitus in a more approachable size. Gloria Fung reports
As the name suggests, the Quadruple Complication Reference 5308G-001 has four complicated functions housed inside its 42mm white gold case. It features a minute repeater, an instantaneous perpetual calendar, and a chronograph with split seconds. This movement, the new R CHR 27 PS QI calibre with an astonishing 799 components, is based on the one featured in the Triple Complication Reference 5208, launched in 2011.
The movement features two new patents; both applied to the chronograph: one prevents friction at the clutch, while the other isolates the split-second mechanism when it's stopped to eliminate its energy consumption.
The instant perpetual calendar function sees that the day-date-month apertures pass within 30 milliseconds at midnight to ensure accuracy. Again, a precise and powerful energy force is required to complete this feat.
Alongside the four complications, the timepiece also features a moon phase, and small seconds, which shares a sub-dial with the leap year indication.
Blue metallised white gold applied indices, baton hour markers, and hour and minute hands are set against an ice blue sunburst dial. The shiny navy blue alligator strap is completed with a white gold clasp.
Launched last October, the Cubitus received mixed reviews from Patek Philippe fans, with some noting that the large 45 mm dimensions might not be a good fit for most wrists. The watchmaker responds with the new Cubitus Reference 7128 in 40 mm, a smaller piece that gives the rounded square design a more versatile appeal.
The watchmaker describes this new 40 mm piece as the medium size reference to the Cubitus range. Other than its shaved-down dimensions, the piece remains much the same; the rounded chamfered edges of the bezel are polished, while the rest of the case is in a satin finish. This contrast in texture and finish is carried throughout the piece and onto the dial—a sunburst finish is featured on the horizontally embossed dial pattern.
The rose gold version paired with a chocolate dial features the same design details. Both references feature a bracelet with a fold-over clasp. The self-winding 26-330 S C Calibre and its stop-seconds function enable the time to be set to the exact second. The self-winding movement applies force to the hour, minute, and sweeping seconds hands, as well as the date displayed through an aperture at 3 o’clock.
