Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 5041G - Full set

Origin

The perpetual calendar has long been a canvas for Patek Philippe to articulate its philosophy. To master the calendar is to master time itself, and no manufacturer has carried that torch with such consistency. Since unveiling the world’s first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925, Patek has made the complication both its technical signature and its cultural calling card.

The perpetual calendar remains a cornerstone of Patek Philippe’s technical mastery and a symbol of its unbroken tradition. In 1992, the maison unveiled the Reference 5040, a cushion-shaped perpetual calendar that distinguished itself from the round profiles of earlier models by introducing Breguet numerals in a softer, more unconventional case. The Reference 5041, introduced a few years later, carried this concept further. While the 5040 was most often delivered in yellow gold with silver dials rooted in classical codes, the 5041 offered a striking reversal, a white-gold case, a deep black dial, elegant Breguet numerals and hands, and a broad flat bezel that gave the watch a crisper, more assertive presence.

This subtle inversion created something rare and quietly radical. Most Patek perpetuals leaned toward lighter dials, the traditional palette of dress watches, but the black dial of the 5041G gives a modernity and an unmistakable authority. It is believed but not confirmed that as few as 30 to 50 examples were ever produced, although some speculation suggests the true number is closer to 200 at most.

The 5041 may not be a household name like the 3940 or 2499, but within collecting circles, it is regarded as one of the maison’s most elusive perpetual calendars, a true object of connoisseurship.

The Watch

By the late 20th century, the perpetual calendar was not only a cornerstone but also a symbol of continuity at Patek Philippe. In the late 1990s, Patek introduced the Reference 5041, a cushion-shaped perpetual calendar that explores a slight departure from the classic round case. It represents a deliberate evolution from the rounder, 5040 which came before it. Its design, a cushion case with a mix of sharp, defined edges, demonstrates how small shifts can create a dramatic impact. Its form swaps the softer appearance of the 5040 and exchanges its rounded bezel for a flatter, stronger frame. This adjustment may seem minor, yet it transforms the watch, giving it sharper shoulders and more defined lines.

The black dial is undeniably the heart of the 5041’s character. Deep and matte, it serves as a stage for the applied white-gold Breguet numerals that arc gracefully around the display. The matching Breguet hands extend the theme, sweeping over a perfectly symmetrical arrangement of registers. Day and month reside at nine and three o’clock respectively, while the moonphase and date are at six, leap year at three, and 24-hour indicator at nine. This design achieves balance as each subdial feels anchored yet integrated, marrying function and form.

Where the 5040 in yellow gold with light dials speaks of classical elegance, the 5041G is the ultimate blend of familiar yet different in an execution seldom seen.

The Movement

Inside beats the Calibre 240 Q, Patek’s self-winding perpetual calendar with micro-rotor architecture. Thin, efficient, and beautifully finished to Geneva Seal standards, it delivers full perpetual functionality while keeping the case under 10mm. 

How It Wears

Despite being modest at 35.5mm wide with a height of 43mm, the 5041G carries presence due to its extended profile and flat bezel. The black dial enhances its visual impact, while the svelte case height ensures comfort and elegance. From the case, black dial, hands and numerals, rarity is the name of the game with the 5041G, and that rarity is felt on the wrist.

Condition

This Ref. 5041G is in excellent, unpolished condition and remains complete with all original accessories including winding box, wallet, papers, leaflets, pin pusher, white gold folding buckle, and its hang tags.