“Watches are cool.” These were the famous last words from the world’s fourth richest man at the multi-day pre-wedding celebration between billionaire heir Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant back in March. Zuckerberg was prompted to say this after he and his wife Priscilla Chan were enthralled by Ambani’s Richard Mille pièce unique RMS10 Tourbillon ‘Koi Fish’ that’s worth at least US$1 million.

Now for a guy who was rarely, if not ever, seen wearing watches (a Garmin smartwatch doesn’t count), the Meta CEO’s watch game went from zero to hundred. On Labour Day weekend in America, Zuckerberg uploaded a selfie that showed a flash of wrist wear. A curious follower asked for the reference to which Zuck replied, “5236P”. 

 

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Patek Philippe In-Line Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5236P

A Patek Philippe In-Line Perpetual Calendar is not so gracefully or easily bestowed in every watch collector’s wish list — unless you’re the fourth richest man on the planet. The brown strap seen in Zuckerberg’s Instagram post narrowed it down to the new salmon-adjacent rose gilt dial 5236P that was presented at Watches & Wonders Geneva this year. The color is a nod to nostalgia, wrote Australia Editor-in-Chief Felix Scholz, especially when perfectly paired with a case inspired by the 3448, Patek’s first perpetual calendar from 1962. This isn’t just about color, though. The heart of the 5236P remains unchanged, running on the slender 31-260 PS QL movement. It features a cleverly designed module that arranges the calendar displays in a single, elegant line, giving the watch its name. 

This model is an evolution to the introductory model in 2021. The 5236P debuted in a deep gradient blue that was paired with a matching blue alligator strap with navy stitching. The tone-on-tone look was housed in a platinum case that bore a design that referenced the Ref. 3448, which is not just the world’s first self-winding perpetual calendar, but also what we call “Patek Philippe’s most elegant perpetual calendar”. As Wei Koh wrote, the “shape of the case, thin bezel and short angular lugs, it is clear the design inspiration for the 5236 is the legendary Patek Reference 3448. The 3448 is, simply speaking, one of the most iconic wristwatches of all time.” 

So, the Zuck has good taste. What else has he got in his collection, you think?