New Release: Patek Philippe unveils its sportiest Aquanaut – the 5968A flyback chronograph

The very first chronograph in the Aquanaut collection

The sporty and very contemporary Aquanaut collection welcomes its first chronograph – a complication that perfectly matches the character of this youthful and dynamic timepiece line. Patek Philippe endowed this companion for active people with a self-winding flyback chronograph movement that combines tradition and innovation. It features a classic column wheel as well as a modern vertical disk clutch that prevents a rebound of the hand in either direction when the chronograph is started. Because this clutch is virtually friction-free, the chronograph hand can also be used as a continuously running seconds hand.

The new watch also stands out with remarkable aesthetic appeal by harmoniously integrating the chronograph function in the exclusive Aquanaut design. The 60-minute counter echoes the typical contours of the slightly rounded octagonal bezel. The broad chronograph pushers are directly adjacent to the two bulges that protect the screw-down crown. The orange chronograph displays (large chronograph hand, quarter-second divisions of the peripheral railway track minute scale, 60-minute counter) contrast well against the black dial with the typical Aquanaut embossed pattern. Legibility is enhanced with applied gold numerals filled with a luminous compound as well as the two luminous baton-style hands.

This water resistant to 120m piece is delivered with two composite straps. The black strap is standard issue. The orange one emphasizes the bold color accents on the dial. For added comfort, Patek Philippe has fitted this water-resistant and extremely rugged strap with the new Aquanaut fold-over clasp with four independent catches: it further optimizes the reliability of the opening and closing process.

Technical Specifications

DIAL
• Black embossed, gold applied numerals with luminescent coating

CASE
• Steel
• Diameter (10-4 o’clock): 42.2 mm
• Height: 11.9 mm
• Water resistant to 120 m
• Screw-down crown
• Sapphire-crystal case back

STRAP
• Composite material, black (originally fitted)
• Composite material, orange (additional strap)
• Aquanaut fold-over clasp

MOVEMENT
• Caliber CH 28-520 C/528
• Self-winding
• Flyback chronograph
• Sweep seconds hand (chronograph hand)
• 60-minute counter
• Date in aperture
• Diameter: 30 mm
• Height: 6.63 mm
• Number of parts: 308
• Power reserve: Min. 45 hours – max. 55 hours