Television presenter Ellen spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Ellen DeGeneres was photographed wearing a Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph Reference 5960/1A-001, a steel-cased complication that sits at the serious end of even Patek Philippe's own remarkable spectrum. For a daily wear choice, it signals a collector sensibility well beyond the obvious.

The Patek Philippe 5960/1A debuted at Baselworld 2006 as a landmark piece: the first Patek to combine an annual calendar with a flyback chronograph in a single, integrated manufacture movement. That movement — Calibre CH 28-520 IRM QA 24H — beats at 28,800 vph and offers an 45-to-55 hour power reserve depending on usage. The flyback function allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted with a single pusher action, a complication historically associated with aviation and military timing. The annual calendar, Patek's own invention patented in 1996, correctly accounts for months of 30 and 31 days, requiring adjustment only once a year — at the end of February. The 40.5mm stainless steel case on the 5960/1A pairs a black dial with applied Arabic numerals and three subdials arranged for optimum legibility without sacrificing elegance.

From a collector standpoint, the 5960 reference occupies an enviable position. Steel Patek Philippe complications have historically attracted fierce demand, and the 5960/1A is no exception. It represents the sweet spot of wearability and mechanical complexity — a watch that can genuinely be used, not merely admired. Among advanced collectors it is frequently cited as one of the more underappreciated references in the modern Patek portfolio, particularly given the engineering achievement the movement represents.

Ellen DeGeneres has long shown a preference for clean, quality-driven aesthetics both on and off the set of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. A steel Patek complication aligns neatly with that sensibility — no yellow gold, no diamonds, just a quietly exceptional piece of horological engineering on the wrist.

On the grey market, the Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph 5960/1A-001 commands a meaningful premium over its already substantial retail price, reflecting sustained collector demand for steel Patek complications. The official UK list price sits at approximately £38,500, translating to roughly $48,000 USD at retail — with secondary market values pushing notably higher.