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Perpetual Calendar ( 1 ) with a Retrograde Date ( 2 ), Week Day ( 3 ), Date ( 4 ), Month ( 5 ), Leap Year Cycle ( 6 ),Age of the Moon ( 7 ), Minute Repeater ( 8 ), Tourbillon ( 9 ), Map of the Sky ( 10 ), Sidereal Time ( 11 ) and angular movements of the moon and phases of the moon ( 12 )
The problem is that the term " Grande Complication " has been hackneyed by the brands marketing teams, and that nowadays, you can see, with a bit of surprise, that a simple perpetual calendar is called " Grande Complication "...
A pity...
Best,
Nicolas
Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon 5002G. A legend and a cult watch.
Here are some pictures to be credited to Phillips who recently auctioned one:
Described and called by Patek as a Grande Complication, which is not totally correct, as to deserve this title, it should have a Chronograph, and more precisely, a Rattrapante. But it is a watch with several " noble " complications, 12!
The 12 complications are:
Perpetual Calendar ( 1 ) with a Retrograde Date ( 2 ), Week Day ( 3 ), Date ( 4 ), Month ( 5 ), Leap Year Cycle ( 6 ),Age of the Moon ( 7 ), Minute Repeater ( 8 ), Tourbillon ( 9 ), Map of the Sky ( 10 ), Sidereal Time ( 11 ) and angular movements of the moon and phases of the moon ( 12 )
That way to count the complications always made me smile, but all the brands do the same.
The movement is the Cal R TO 27 QR SID LU CL, 686 components, 38 mm big and 12,61 mm thick.
As for the case dimensions, the diameter is very reasonable, with 42, 8 mm. But the height is consequent, to say the least: 16, 25 mm.
Two superb faces...
Best,
Nicolas
Age old argument which won't be solved in my lifetime :).
https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonydemarco/2013/07/09/what-is-a-grand-complication-watch/ [nt]
The first grande complication wrist watch certainly were the IWC Destriero Schafusia, and the Blancpain 1735. In the article,
It is said that the watch has to be a grande et petite sonnerie...
Which is correct. The problem is that the term " Grande Complication " has been hackneyed by the brands marketing teams, and that nowadays, you can see, with a bit of surprise, that a simple perpetual calendar is called " Grande Complication "...
A pity...
Best,
Nicolas
to make things even more accurate, the first ever grand complicated watch was the Blancpain 1735, which was released in 1991
the Destriero Scafusia by IWC showed up in 1993....all the others, which were certainly inspired by those two followed later, including PP...
Thanks Nico for sharing an iconic Patek! We don't get a chance to see these often :-)
I guess the definition of GC is broader/more nuanced than when it was originally conceived...even a perpetual calendar alone (or alarm, etc.) does qualify, at least in Patek's books. Maybe they just have to create a new cross-collection of "Icons", where this and a few other pieces would fit perfectly 
At least, a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater and a chronograph in the same watch would qualify, in my book. [nt]
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No, not this one. It is a marvelous watch, but not a Grande Complication. [nt]
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That means that in you opinion 5 out of 34 watches under current collection qualifies as Grand Competition ? [nt]
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Not only does it qualify, the 5531 is the winner of the Grand Competition...;-) [nt]
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I will not be involved in the definition of what is and what isn’t qualified as Grand complicated watches.
As I don’t need an chronograph to measure if my eggs are ready 😂
Grand complication
I think, strictly, it's supposed to have at least one function from each of the complication groups in order to qualify as Grand Complication:
1. Calendar complication: for example a perpetual or annual calendar, possibly even a regular simple calendar would qualify.
2. Timing complication: for example a chronograph, or split chrono.
3. Audible complication: for example a minute repeater or a grand or petite sonnerie, or alarm.
4. Astronomical complication: for example moon phase, or something more advanced.
And yes, it's clear that most manufacturers are abusing the term!
1. Calendar complication: for example a perpetual or annual calendar, possibly even a regular simple calendar would qualify.
2. Timing complication: for example a chronograph, or split chrono.
3. Audible complication: for example a minute repeater or a grand or petite sonnerie, or alarm.
4. Astronomical complication: for example moon phase, or something more advanced.
And yes, it's clear that most manufacturers are abusing the term!
Thanks for your feedback, w220. You may well be right about the definition of a Grande Complication. Some watchmakers gave me the same definition than you, by the way. [nt]
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Thanks for writing about this watch which, no matter what it should be classified as, is highly...
complicated !!