In 1991, the soon-to-be graduates at the Geneva School of Engineering were presented with their final project prior to receiving their diploma — simplify the perpetual calendar.

Although the task was easier said than done, their work led to the inception of the annual calendar complication, patented by Patek in collaboration with the bright engineering minds at the GSE. Five years later, Patek debuted the Reference 5035 which marked the world’s first-ever annual calendar movement and finally bridged the gap between a triple date function and the formidable quantième perpétuel.

This piece transports us forward to the present day and is a beautiful modern interpretation of the Patek Philippe Annual Calendar complication. A Reference 4936G-001 designed for their ladies' collection, this elegant timepiece features a 37mm 18k white gold case with contoured lugs, a factory diamond-set bezel, and a signed crown with a factory diamond setting on the periphery.

Its stunning black mother of pearl dial features applied ‘Roman’ indices, a polished feuille handset, and displays twin subsidiary registers denoting the day and month, as well as moonphase indicator directly above the date window at 6 o’clock.

The reverse of the case features a a sapphire exhibition back providing a window through which you can admire the self-winding Caliber 324 S QA LU and its yellow gold winding rotor adorned with the hallmark Patek Philippe seal. It comes fitted to a short length signed taupe alligator strap with a matching 18k white gold pin buckle, and includes its Certificate of Origin dated 11/2012.

This lovely piece proves that Patek Philippe stands apart from the competition when it comes to ladies' pieces, fully understanding that passionate, savvy women demand more from their timepiece than just shiny colors and a little bit of bling. They really delivered with this exquisitely appointed Annual Calendar!