New Patek Philippe Cubitus Collection: Yes They Are Too Big, But Are They Really That Polarizing?
by Ian Skellern
It’s probably too early to say that we can reflect better on the new Patek Philippe Cubitus collection now that the dust has cleared because it only launched a few days ago (17th of October), but at least we have had time to sleep on the collection.
Patek Philippe Cubitus launch collection
My first reaction was that I didn’t like the design, too square and not elegant enough for Patek Philippe, even for a sports watch collection.
But as the hours and days past, I found myself liking the design more and more. Yes, at 45 mm the launch models are way too big for most, but I’m sure that there was some strategic decision for launching the collection with the jumbo-sized models – perhaps just to give the haters a bone to chew on – but smaller case sizes are surely already well down the production pipeline.
The Cubitus case looks like a Nautilus after it has eaten too many pies and then spent a few months in the gym. The sharp angles give the case and dial more of a harder look than the Nautilus.
The comparatively softer looking Nautilus looks like what you would expect from a Patek Philippe sports watch i.e., one that was unlikely to be playing sports.
The Cubitus would look at home on a bodybuilder.
————————————————————————————————————–
—————————————————————————————————–
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.
—————————————————————————————————–
—————————————————————————————————–
Cubitus Self-Winding Ref. 5821/1A (steel) and Self-Winding Ref. 5821/1AR (two-tone)
While 8.3 mm high is relatively slim for a sports watch, when the case is a hefty 45 mm wide it looks positively ultra-slim!
Relatively slim caseband of the Patek Philippe Cubitus Self Winding
Features include date (though personally I’d prefer a clean dial without the date), stop seconds and a screw-in crown (though that’s not used to increase water resistance).
Patek Philippe Cubitus Self-Winding Ref. 5821/1A
The ribbed green dial of the steel Ref. 5821/1A looks good and is not too flashy. I suspect that despite the size, this will be the most popular model, at least until smaller case sizes are available. And at $41,240 it is the most affordable.
Patek Philippe Cubitus Self-Winding Ref. 5821/1A lume shot
Patek Philippe Cubitus Self-Winding Ref. 5821/1A on the wrist
For more information, please visit www.patek.com/en/collection/cubitus/5821-1A-001
Patek Philippe Cubitus Self-Winding Ref. 5821/1AR
The blue dialed two-tone (steel and pink gold) Ref. 5821/1AR is the more flashy look-at-me model, and it will be more likely seen in office/work settings than on a sports field.
Patek Philippe Cubitus Self-Winding two-tone Ref. 5821/1AR on the wrist
It does look good though: you can’t go wrong with pink gold and a blue dial. However, at $61,280 you are paying a hefty premium for a partially gold case. But watch certainly makes a statement!
For more information, please visit www.patek.com/en/collection/cubitus/5821-1AR-001
—————————————————————————————————–
—————————————————————————————————–
Cubitus Grand Date Ref. 5822P
Unusually in this day and age, the Cubitus Grand Date’s name undersells itself: it’s actually a grand date, day of the week, and moon phase. And with a gold micro-rotor to boot. That’s a nice selection of indications and they are well laid out on the dial.
Patek Philippe Cubitus Grand Date Ref. 5822P in platinum
The asymmetry at the bottom of the dial of the day/moon phase subdial (left) and small seconds (right) adds visual interest and I think that looks better than if the two subdials were the same size.
Again though, as impressive as that big date is, just look how far it is from the top of the dial, let alone the edge of the case. The movement is tiny in this imposing case.
Caliber 240 PS CI J LU is a nice-looking movement, but again shame on Patek for not including a few hand polished internal angles. I suppose Patek knows that their customers are now more interested in the brand name rather than the superlative hand finishing that helped cement their reputation.
Small baguette diamond set into the caseband of the Patek Philippe Cubitus Grand Date Ref. 5822P in platinum
A 45 mm platinum case must weigh a ton so this isn’t a sports watch you will be swimming with. As with all of Patek Philippe’s platinum cases, this one features a diamond inset in the caseband (just above the bottom lug) and this one is a baguette diamond, which is a first. It’s basically to let your friends know that it isn’t a steel case.
Patek Philippe Cubitus Grand Date Ref. 5822P in platinum on the wrist
At $88,380 the Grand Date is no bargain, but it does look to be better value to me than $61,280 for the two-tone.
For more information, please visit https://www.patek.com/en/collection/cubitus/5822P-001
You might also enjoy
Patek Philippe 5270P Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Reviewed by Tim Mosso
Big Fish: Behind the Lens with Unique and Rare Salmon-Dialed Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendars
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!
I wanna cry they’re so ugly. This massive—well they said it—cube (with the corners trimmed off) sat on a Nautilus strap. There’s even a little Code 11:59 in it too, the way the clamshell case is borrowing from the Nautilus is akin to the 11:59 borrowing screws from the RO. Oh why couldn’t PP have just doubled the production of the Nautilus? It’s not like they’d have problems selling them.
Ian, I wholeheartedly agree this new model takes a while to study & get used to. It’s certainly “out-there” for what we assume PP produces. But, it also displays Patek is not only a conservative grand maker. My first impression was “WTF?” That rapidly disappeared into a why not? Sure, the prices are hefty but, that rides the wave of in today’s quality productions, what isn’t. Givens: it proves PP can be bolder than presumed, it’s 3 models fill the initial gamut, it shows variations unseen at Patek, it attempts to widen their attraction audience & it boggles the mind of brand followers. Searching for negatives? Well you’re absolutely correct jumbo alone (for the brand) is a minus. More options aka unisex 40mm is sure to come. And you’re spot-on for the money, one should expect grander accents in visualizing a superb movement should be there. I’d guess they won’t. I appreciate screw down crowns on all pieces. Surely hardly any would dive with this model. Swim? Why not. So, it removes the fear of how wet one might dare, etc.
All-in, Hat-Tip P-P. Why not! Will it soon be the next grand sport success? Probably not overnight – few are. When considering alternatives in this price range, I could name 2 or 3 other Patek models I’d certainly grab first.
Most of true high brand aficionados already complement our collections with what we find as must-haves, must-ads.
So, we’ll see sooner or, later where this model lands in the BIG picture. But, that’s not what’ll make for happiness on the wrist by the owner. It’s good to see Patek widen its offerings and that’s quite healthy in feeding our longings. Creatively new is as important as honoring classism. Proof Patek’s eyes are wide open.
Just say’in…
Jon
So now we know the real reason Patek discontinued the 5711. It wasn’t that they didn’t want a sports watch overshadowing the rest of their collection. It’s just that they wanted to find a way of charging more for an inferior watch, and trolling the suckers by seeing how ugly they can make it. Talk about adding insult to injury.
My initial reaction was negative, but it’s growing on me. I think it adds a new dimension to the integrated-bracelet-steel-sports-watch universe. The small movement grates rather, as you say.
Just as the new shape Landrover Defender is more suited to urban terrorist forays than fording streams on your country estate, this watch is more of a boardroom flex than a sports watch. It will be interesting to see how it influences watch design over the coming years.