Incoming: A Patek Philippe Acquisition and Calendar Complication Deep Dive

manilx · 2020-02-28T06:48:11Z

Discover manilx's new Patek Philippe acquisition and delve into an unexpected discussion on ISO 8601 calendar week definitions and 53-week years.

In a time of global uncertainty, collector manilx found solace in a new acquisition, sharing his latest Patek Philippe with the community. This post not only showcases a stunning timepiece but also sparked an unexpected, in-depth discussion on the intricacies of calendar complications and their horological implications. Manilx's 'incoming' serves as a reminder of how watches can offer a sense of continuity and joy.

Key Points from the Discussion

The ISO 8601 standard defines Week 1 as the first week containing a majority (at least four) of its days within the new year, which also means it contains the first Thursday of the year.
A year can have either 52 or 53 weeks, with 53-week years occurring less frequently. For example, 2020 had 53 weeks, with Week 1 starting in late 2019 and Week 53 extending into early 2021.
Not all leap years have 53 weeks; the occurrence of a 53-week year depends on where the first Thursday of January falls. The next 53-week years after 2020 are 2026, 2032, and 2037.
This thread is discussion-light, with the primary substantive reply focusing on calendar week definitions rather than the watch itself.

The Discussion

GLau

Feb 28, 2020

steel !!!! Enjoy it often !

sham1

Feb 28, 2020

Enjoy your new watch.

Thomas_3

Feb 28, 2020

why does the dial have a 53rd week on it?

FabR

Feb 28, 2020

This is because by containing the first Thursday, Week 1 is the first to also contain a majority (i.e, at least 4 out of 7) of its days inside the new year. Given this, the rest of the weekly calendar is uniquely determined; in particular, every year will either contain 52 or (more rarely) 53 weeks. For instance, in 2020, the first Thursday is Jan. 2, and therefore Week 1 goes from Mon, Dec. 30, 2019 to Sun, Jan. 5, 2020. Week 53 will be the last of 2020, going from Mon, Dec. 28 to Sun, Jan. 3,

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Incoming: A Patek Philippe Acquisition and Calendar Complication Deep Dive

Key Points from the Discussion

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