The New Patek Philippe Cubitus Collection: Yes They Are Too Big, But Are They Really That Polarizing?

Credits:  Article and images by Ian Skellern @ Quill & Pad.  See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/10/20/the-new-patek-philippe-cubitus-collection-yes-they-are-too-big-but-are-they-really-that-polarizing/

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Philippe Cubitus collection

There are three models in the Cubitus launch collection: the Self-Winding Ref. 5821/1A in steel, the Self-Winding Ref. 5821/1AR dual tone in pink gold and steel, and the Grande Date Ref. 5822P-001 in platinum.

Patek Philippe Cubitus launch collection

Whether you feel the 45 mm case size is too big or not, one thing I don’t like and feel is beneath a brand like Patek Philippe is dropping a relatively small diameter movement in a large diameter case in all three launch models.

Back of the Patek Philippe Cubitis Ref.5821/1A

While the wide bezel and lug guards hide just how far the date window is on the automatic models, when you look at the display back you can see just how small the movement is relative to the case size.

Back of the Patek Philippe Cubitis Grand Date Ref. 5822P-001

And the same is true for the grand date model.

While the small movements –  27 mm diameter Caliber 26‑330 S C (based on the 2019 caliber 26-330) for the Self Winding, and 31 mm diameter Caliber 240 PS CI J LU for the Grand Date do allow for smaller case sizes to follow, they do emphasize the fact that Patek deliberately and strategically chose to launch this new collection is what is today an extremely large size.

For added shock value? To reduce initial demand? To make the case look slimmer until we all get comfortable with the new shape? Or perhaps all of these or none of these reasons?

Two more things I’m disappointed with in these new models: no quick change strap/bracelet option and only water resistant to 30 meters, which is paltry for a screw-in crown sports watch.

No sharp hand finished internal angles on the bridges of Patek Philippe caliber 240 PS CI J LU

And I can’t help lament the demise of the importance of Patek Philippe’s hand finishing: for movements from such a prestigious brand and at these price points, I’d expect at least one or two sharp internal angles. Instead all we see are nicely shape curved anglage.

Something else to wonder about is why Patek Philippe decided to basically replace the Nautilus Ref. Nautilus Ref. 5711 with the new Cubitus Ref. 5821/1A rather than offering both.

While a few reasons have been floated, I suspect that if they hadn’t stopped the Nautilus 5711 (the previously most popular Patek Sports watch). then the new Cubitus collection was at greater risk of being a flop. Now if you want a simple Patek Philippe sports watch the options are more limited.

I would not be surprised if we see more Nautilus models discontinued.

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Credits:  Article and images by Ian Skellern @ Quill & Pad.  See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/10/20/the-new-patek-philippe-cubitus-collection-yes-they-are-too-big-but-are-they-really-that-polarizing/