News: Patek Philippe 5960/1
Small news for many, big news for some: Patek Philippe's sporty Chronographe Flyback à Quantième Annuel, better known as the 5960/1, now has a black dial. This generously equipped variant has all the bells and whistles of the original, thanks to the in-house CH 28-520 IRM QA 24H movement, including a flyback chronograph, annual calendar, power reserve display and day/night indicator. Despite be decorated with a 21-carat rotor and the usual Patek Philippe flair, it's not all skin deep: an antimagnetic silicon Spiromax balance spring and virtually wear-free vertical disc clutch showcase Patek Philippe's underlying ethos for innovation in this 456-part engine.
But, as mentioned, this is all about the new dial, in ebony black opaline. It may not seem like a big deal, but as with other white/black dial variants (think Daytona, Explorer), the black dial is often considered the sportier option, and with stainless-steel watches on bracelets, a sportier leaning can transform the entire feel. Red chronograph hands—free of recoil thanks to the fancy clutch— add a punch of colour to the 5960/1, while luminous markers further add to its sporting utility.
