3 perpetual calendar watches that deserve your attention
Perpetual calendars are the show-offs of the watch world – timepieces so brainy they can keep track of day, date, month and even leap years without batting an eyelid (or needing your fiddly manual adjustments). While most of us can barely remember what day it is, these watches are quietly ticking away, accurately managing the chaos of our calendars. Here are three perpetual calendars that aren’t just impressive – they’re downright irresistible.
Credit - Frédérique Constant
1. Frederique Constant Perpetual Calendar
Frederique Constant is a bit like that friend who turns up in Savile Row tailoring but doesn’t make a big deal about it. Their perpetual calendar has all the technical chops you’d expect – day, date, month and leap year displays – but with an understated elegance that doesn’t scream “look at me.” And at a price point that’s surprisingly approachable (at least by Swiss watch standards), this piece is the definition of “quiet luxury.” It’s the horological equivalent of driving a classic Bentley without the maintenance bill – smart, suave and quietly impressive.
Price: £8695
Credit - IWC
2. IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar (Pre-Owned)
The IWC Portugieser perpetual calendar is like the George Clooney of watches – effortlessly charming and just gets better with age. A pre-owned model is not only a savvy move (why pay the brand-new premium?), but it also means you’re wearing a piece that’s already collected some stories of its own. This watch doesn’t just tell the time – it tells you the moon phase in both hemispheres, because why not? It’s a statement piece for anyone who appreciates precision engineering wrapped up in a slice of nautical-inspired elegance.
Price: Around £11,000 pre owned (£42,000 new)
Credit - Furlan Marri
3. Furlan Marri Secular Perpetual Calendar
If the Frederique Constant is the gentleman and the IWC is the silver fox, the Furlan Marri Secular Perpetual Calendar is the maverick genius who turns up in limited-edition trainers and still steals the show. This indie darling has a mechanism so clever it’ll keep perfect time until the year 2400 – yes, that’s four centuries of smug accuracy. It’s a watch with brains, but it doesn’t try to be intimidating. With its retro charm and playful approach to haute horology, this one feels like the future of watchmaking – without taking itself too seriously.
Price: £28.000
Credit - Frédérique Constant
Special mention…
Whilst researching for this article, I stumbled upon a watch that has taken me back slightly. In 2022, our friends at Frédérique Constant created a Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar which has gone totally under my radar.
Following the previous years smash hit, the Geneva-based brand has popped out two snazzy limited editions of its Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Manufacture, decked out in polished stainless steel or lustrous 18K rose gold, both with pristine navy-blue skeleton dials.
Limited to just 88 pieces for the stainless steel and 30 of the gold ones, these things are going to be rare!
Consider it a toot of their own horn, celebrating the grand opening of their new Manufacture building in Plan‑les‑Ouates.
Further research reveals that the gold version is now demanding around £30,000 on the pre owned market whilst the stainless steel one is up for around half of that. A horological bargain in my opinion. Prices accurate to the date of this post.
Final Thoughts
Perpetual calendars are often described as “complications,” but there’s nothing complicated about why these three deserve a spot on your radar. Whether you lean towards the accessible sophistication of Frederique Constant, the classic power of a pre-owned IWC Portugieser, or the quirky genius of Furlan Marri, each offers a different flavour of horological excellence. The only real challenge? Deciding which wrist gets to have all the fun.
