Have you ever thought that Patek Philippe also plays with square cases? At this year’s Geneva Watch Fair, they launched the new Cubitus series. The large 45mm case caught the attention of many people and sparked heated discussions. Some people think it is the rebirth of the Nautilus, while others think the design is too exaggerated. Can the Cubitus series break the tradition and become a new trend in the watch industry? Read on and let’s discuss it together!

Patek Philippe Cubitus Series

At the Geneva Watch Fair in October this year, Patek Philippe released a new Cubitus series, including three models, all with 45 mm cases, and the models are 5160/1A, 7128/1G, and 7128/1R. The release of this series of watches triggered widespread discussion. Some people thought that its design was like the rebirth of the Nautilus, while others pointed out that the 45 mm case was too large and square in design, which was contrary to Patek Philippe’s usual elegant style.

The birth of the Cubitus series of watches seems to mark a successful fusion between traditional watchmaking art and avant-garde design concepts. It is very simple in appearance, but profound watchmaking craftsmanship is hidden in the details. For Patek Philippe, which has always been famous for its round cases, the square design is quite a bit breaking the rules, and the use of large-size cases is even more eye-catching. Perhaps this is what we often say in the watch industry: “break the rules and reshape the classics.”

The change in appearance does not mean a simplification in connotation. In terms of movement, the Cubitus series is still equipped with the self-winding movement 26330 S C/434 developed by Patek Philippe. It not only has a black box second hand, but also displays the date. This configuration is already very common in high-end watches.

And with the release of new watches, Patek Philippe seems to be conveying the concept: “Reducing size does not mean simplifying connotation.” The new 40 mm watch still maintains a thickness of 8.5 mm. Such a smooth shape not only facilitates the placement of the movement, but also improves the wearer’s comfort, while the elegant temperament adds a lot of modernity to the watch.

The most surprising thing is that the release of new watches does not seem to affect the market popularity of the original models of the Cubitus series. Perhaps because the 45mm case is too large, some watch enthusiasts and collectors said they do not like this design. They prefer the 40mm new model, and the material choices of platinum and rose gold make the new watch look more luxurious.

Both the old and new models have their own merits

Although everyone loves the new 40mm model, we have to admit that the large 45mm case also has its own unique charm. For some wearers with thicker wrists, the large size can better reflect the wearer’s aura, while the square shape breaks the monotony of traditional round watches and makes them more personalized.

Moreover, the old and new watches are different in many aspects, such as dial design, movement, watch bottom, etc. Although the new model retains most of the design elements of the old model, it has made many optimizations in details, making it more in line with modern people’s aesthetics.

In any case, the successful release of the Cubitus series has proven Patek Philippe’s victory in the field of high-end watch design. Pioneer and tradition coexist, and high-end watchmaking art is combined with elegant modern style. This new series is really eye-catching.

Some people say that the success of the Cubitus series heralds a new trend in high-end watch design in the future. This seems a bit unrealistic in the past, because traditional watchmaking brands have always been very cautious. They would rather miss some popular trends than change their design styles at will to avoid offending old customers.

But if the Cubitus series can become a new trend, it would make sense. In the past, we saw big brands suppressing small brands. Now, small brands are challenging big brands. In the watch industry, small brands have won a lot of market share with their bold and pioneering design concepts. Although big brands are still at the top of the industry, they have to speed up and work hard to catch up to avoid falling behind.

Conclusion

The release of the Cubitus series is undoubtedly a bold attempt by Patek Philippe in design. Although its large square case has triggered different voices, I think this is the perfect combination of tradition and innovation. Both new and old models have their own merits and meet the needs of different consumers. If you also have your own opinions on this watch, please share your opinions in the comment area, and don’t forget to give it a like!