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It’s OK; you don’t have to love the Patek Philippe Cubitus — ever. You’ll be able to carry your vitriol round like a badge of honor and scream to the heavens. That’s advantageous, however when you select to take action, you’ll miss a fairly rattling first rate watch. We will agree that the 45mm authentic was and is a pig, however the brand new 40mm Cubitus is true the place it must be.
Simply six months in the past, Patek Philippe dropped a bomb on the watch world with the Cubitus. Truly, earlier than it was formally introduced, it started making the rounds as a meme goal. How the hell may one of many biggest manufacturers within the business launch some hamfisted chunky-monkey watch when the one factor most individuals wished was a brand new Nautilus? Name it hubris, momentary madness, or what you’ll — the Cubitus was and could be very actual. With a 45mm diagonal measurement, it’s huge. At Watches and Wonders 2025, a slight mea culpa occurred with a brand new 40mm Cubitus. Of us, it’s OK when you nonetheless don’t love the design, however this is the watch that ought to have debuted in 2024.
The 40mm Patek Philippe Cubitus
With these new fashions, the Cubitus now measures 40mm from 10 to 4 o’clock. It’s a humorous method of measuring a watch, however we’ll keep in mind to carry our calipers to Watches and Wonders subsequent time. The thickness is extra simple at simply 8.5mm. As is regular with its sportier fashions, sadly, Patek is simply providing this watch in 18K white or rose gold. A bracelet with a lockable micro-adjustment system is the only possibility in both metallic.
A “boat race” impressed by yachting
Forgive the try at Cockney rhyming slang, however every watch has a “face” impressed by the kind of teak decking on a luxurious yacht. The white gold model comes with a darkish blue dial, whereas the rose gold mannequin has a brown one. It’s an apparent reminder of the Nautilus, together with the utilized gold indexes with luminous filling and a rounded handset. Even the white dots for the minute observe make the reduce. Frankly, I’ve by no means understood why this watch isn’t a sub-collection throughout the Nautilus line, and it could have helped the preliminary reception.
No matter Patek’s resolution to carve out a singular house for the 40mm Cubitus and its siblings, the dials are nice. I’m a loud critic of the model’s blah dial font and (normally) outsized kind. With these watches, although, all the pieces is in proportion. Sure, it’s a wierd day when an important luxurious watch firm nails the sporty gown watches however flubs the formal items. Alas, that’s a dialogue for a special day.
How about that case?
If there’s one space the place the Cubitus stands out, it’s the case. The 2-part design makes use of 4 screws throughout the “ears” on the edges. Within the metallic, it seems to be and feels incredible. The whole lot is superbly completed, easy, and bank-vault safe. The combo of polished and brushed surfaces additionally appears to look finer in individual. What does that imply? It’s onerous to place into phrases, however suffice it to say that the 40mm Cubitus seems to be and feels costly.
A good motion
These Cubitus fashions are powered by the 26-330 S C/434, an automated caliber that debuted in 2019. Critics will bemoan the 35–45 hour energy reserve, however no less than it’s a looker. Anglage, chatons, and changes for temperature are included. Plus, the motion has Côtes de Genève ending and extra bridges than most fashionable rivals. I do know that folk love Lange, however come on; the less complicated actions are boring to view. In hand, there’s one thing particular about watching the Patek gold rotor transfer below the sapphire show. Once more, it feels exact and costly.
So, how is the 40mm Cubitus on the wrist?
Even when this Cubitus isn’t the following coming of the Cartier Tank, it’s a tantalizingly good watch on the wrist. The gold has heft, however the watch feels lithe. All of the attributes from the case design translate to a critically easy operator that appears particular. Better of all, and in contrast to the 45mm model, this piece wears like a watch as a substitute of a cuff. It additionally ticks the flexibility field and may work in most environments. Patek’s resolution to ensure a 30m depth ranking is a bit weak (and certain understated), however I suppose the Rolex should come out on the pool.
Concerning the bracelet, there’s yet one more similarity to the Nautilus. H-shaped hyperlinks alternate with rectangular, polished intermediate hyperlinks. This ends in a easy expertise on the wrist. The truth is, this design is the game-decider for me within the Nautilus-versus-Royal Oak stakes. Not like an outdated Nautilus, although, the 40mm Cubitus has a lockable micro-adjustment system below its push-button clasp.
Total ideas on the 40mm Cubitus
Some of us won’t ever forgive Patek Philippe for the preliminary Cubitus launch and President Thierry Stern’s later feedback as soon as the criticism began to move. So be it. I’m trying on the 40mm Cubitus in isolation, and I can unequivocally state that if the form is remotely fascinating, it’s price a more in-depth look. The standard is there and, lastly, so are the scale. The value, alternatively, is a tricky capsule to swallow. At £65,600 in both type, these are mind-numbingly costly. Certain, that is Patek Philippe, however wow! Then once more, I suppose events received’t be bothered. So let’s restate it: except for the pricing, the smaller Cubitus is a pleasant watch. Let’s hope for a stainless-steel mannequin.
