The Destro Patek Philippe 5373P Split-Seconds Monopusher Chronograph with Perpetual Calendar

Back to front for some, perfect for others, Patek Philippe’s Grand Complication is a rara avis of the watch world and features the chronograph pushers on the left side of the case. Also known as a destro, this left-handed chronograph is, in hallmark Patek style, combined with a perpetual calendar complication. Fitted with the superlative in-house split-seconds chronograph calibre with perpetual calendar – the thinnest of its kind – the latest deluxe combo comes in a platinum case with a sporty, contemporary coloured dial and matching strap and, as you have guessed, will be produced in limited numbers and come with an exorbitant price tag. This is the Patek Philippe 5373P, the brand’s new split-seconds monopusher chronograph with a perpetual calendar.

Lefties

Watches for left-handed gents are unusual, but with its long, illustrious and meticulously recorded history, Patek happens to have one in its archives. Crafted in 1925 for a left-handed customer, the split-seconds chronograph was housed in a fashionable yellow gold cushion-shaped case and customised to feature the pushers on the left caseband.

Goodbye 5372, Hello 5373

As Patek acknowledges, this Grand Complication is inspired by the earlier ref. 5372P, but with the crown, pushers and displays designed for left-handed collectors. To kick start Patek’s mission to craft in-house chronograph movements with or without complications, the brand introduced its manual-winding calibre CHR 27-525 PS in 2005. Acclaimed as the world’s thinnest column-wheel operated splits-seconds chronograph movement, it received a perpetual calendar in 2010 to become CHR 27-525 PS Q. With its laurels still intact, the ultra-thin 7.3mm calibre became the thinnest split-seconds monopusher chronograph and perpetual calendar movement every produced and appeared inside the ref. 5372 of 2017. The latest ref. 5373 is now the only model with the spectacular split-seconds chronograph and perpetual calendar calibre in the collection and replaces the earlier references 5372P-010 (rose gilt dial) and 5372P-001(sunburst blue dial).

Platinum

Presented in a gleaming case with a compact diameter of 38.3mm and a height of 12.93mm, the signature diamond in the caseband is Patek’s shorthand for platinum. Since the watch is designed for left-handers, even the diamond has changed position and is now set in the caseband at noon. Polished finishings on the top surfaces of the watch are contrasted with sportier satin-brushed finishings on the recessed casebands and sides of the rectangular split-seconds pusher at 8 o’clock. The monopusher inside the crown at 9 o’clock is used to activate the start, stop and reset functions of the chronograph, while the rectangular pusher at 8 o’clock activates the split-seconds hand. There are also correctors in the caseband to adjust the day of the week, month, moon phase and date, which can be pushed with an ebony and white gold stylus.

Charcoal Grey & Red

In a marked departure from the more conservative salmon dial of the 5372, the new reference packs a sporty, contemporary punch with its charcoal grey dial and bright red varnished chronograph hands. The 18k gold dial plate has a charcoal grey background with a vertical satin finish that gets darker as it reaches the periphery. To highlight the subsidiary dials, these are a darker colour and have snailed interiors, and the numerals are crafted in white gold and applied to the dial.

If you compare the earlier ref. 5372 with the new ref. 5373, you will notice that it’s not just the crown and pushers that have been relocated, but the entire display has been rotated by 180 degrees. Despite the overwhelming amount of information, the display is surprisingly legible and balanced with crisp white markings and bright red varnished chronograph hands. The position of the displays is as follows: the 60-minute totaliser is housed inside the counter at 9 o’clock with a bright red hand and a rectangular aperture for the month; the date is at noon, and small seconds are at 3 o’clock with a rectangular aperture for the day of the week; the leap year indicator is at 10:30 and the day/night indicator at 1:30; the precision moon phase counter is at 6 o’clock. Faceted white gold Dauphine hands indicate the hours and minutes; as you would expect from a Grand Complication watch, there is no trace of lume.

The black calfskin leather strap reinforces the contemporary spirit of the dial with an embossed fabric pattern and red stitching, which is attached to the wrist with a platinum foldover clasp.

CHR 27-525 PS Q

The view from the sapphire crystal caseback, which can be exchanged for a solid platinum caseback delivered with the watch, is a veritable feast for watch lovers. The calibre is so complex that one watchmaker assembles each movement. Fitted with two column wheels with signature Patek polished caps, the ultra-thin, manual-winding, 476-part movement beats at 21,600vph and delivers a power reserve between 38 – 48 hours with the chronograph disengaged. Bearing the Patek Phillipe Seal, the Haute Horlogerie decorative flourishes include Geneva stripes on the bridges and hand-chamfered and polished edges.

Availability & Price

The information provided regarding the availability of the watch is that it will “be produced in small series“, and the price is on request. If the former 5372 model was in the EUR 500,000+ vicinity, being forewarned is being forearmed.

For more information, please visit Patek.com.