Feast your eyes on one of the most unusual modern watches from the world’s best watchmaker, the Patek Philippe Reference 5212A.
While Patek has a long and storied history making complicated timepieces, the 5212A is unique by any standard. Its dial displays not only the date and day of the week, but the week number set against an outer, corresponding month track. Though the use case for such an esoteric compilation may be limited to international businesses whose operations actually track the week number, the resulting timepiece is nevertheless fascinating — and the fascination doesn’t end with the movement.
In an act of whimsy unusual for such a traditional watchmaker, Patek decided to reproduce the dial’s typeface based upon the conceptual drawings for the watch. That’s right — take a close look at the printing and you’ll notice that no two letters are exactly the same. Pretty cool, if you ask us!
This particular Reference 5212A from circa 2025 is housed in a 40mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, stepped lugs, and a polished bezel. (And yes, you read that correctly — this is a contemporary, complicated Patek in steel!) It features a lovely silver opaline dial with applied, blackened gold indices; day, date, week, and month displays and indicators; and a matching dauphine handset. Powered by the unique Patek Philippe Calibre 26-330 SC C J SE, it comes paired to a brown calf leather strap with a signed stainless steel pin buckle, as well as all its factory goodies.
In mint condition, this 5212A is one of the most compelling timepieces on offer in the modern Patek Philippe catalog. You know what we’re going to say…
Don’t let this one slip through your fingers!