Hands-On With The 40mm Patek Philippe Cubitus — The Hate Ends Now

It’s OK; you don’t have to like the Patek Philippe Cubitus — ever. You can carry your vitriol around like a badge of honor and scream to the heavens. That’s fine, but if you choose to do so, you’ll miss a pretty damn decent watch. We can agree that the 45mm original was and is a pig, but the new 40mm Cubitus is right where it needs to be.

Just six months ago, Patek Philippe dropped a bomb on the watch world with the Cubitus. Actually, before it was officially announced, it began making the rounds as a meme target. How the hell could one of the greatest brands in the industry release some hamfisted chunky-monkey watch when the only thing most people wanted was a new Nautilus? Call it hubris, temporary insanity, or what you will — the Cubitus was and is very real. With a 45mm diagonal measurement, it’s massive. At Watches and Wonders 2025, a slight mea culpa happened with a new 40mm Cubitus. Folks, it’s OK if you still don’t love the design, but this is the watch that should have debuted in 2024.

The 40mm Patek Philippe Cubitus

With these new models, the Cubitus now measures 40mm from 10 to 4 o’clock. It’s a funny way of measuring a watch, but we’ll remember to bring our calipers to Watches and Wonders next time. The thickness is more straightforward at just 8.5mm. As is normal with its sportier models, sadly, Patek is only offering this watch in 18K white or rose gold. A bracelet with a lockable micro-adjustment system is the sole option in either metal.

A “boat race” inspired by yachting

Forgive the attempt at Cockney rhyming slang, but each watch has a “face” inspired by the type of teak decking on a luxury yacht. The white gold version comes with a dark blue dial, while the rose gold model has a brown one. It’s an obvious reminder of the Nautilus, including the applied gold indexes with luminous filling and a rounded handset. Even the white dots for the minute track make the cut. Frankly, I’ve never understood why this watch isn’t a sub-collection within the Nautilus line, and it may have helped the initial reception.

Regardless of Patek’s decision to carve out a unique space for the 40mm Cubitus and its siblings, the dials are great. I’m a loud critic of the brand’s blah dial font and (usually) oversized type. With these watches, though, everything is in proportion. Yes, it’s a strange day when the most important luxury watch company nails the sporty dress watches but flubs the formal pieces. Alas, that’s a discussion for a different day.

How about that case?

If there’s one area where the Cubitus stands out, it’s the case. The two-part design uses four screws within the “ears” on the sides. In the metal, it looks and feels fantastic. Everything is beautifully finished, smooth, and bank-vault secure. The mix of polished and brushed surfaces also seems to look finer in person. What does that mean? It’s hard to put into words, but suffice it to say that the 40mm Cubitus looks and feels expensive.

A decent movement

These Cubitus models are powered by the 26-330 S C/434, an automatic caliber that debuted in 2019. Critics will bemoan the 35–45 hour power reserve, but at least it’s a looker. Anglage, chatons, and adjustments for temperature are included. Plus, the movement has Côtes de Genève finishing and more bridges than most modern rivals. I know that folks love Lange, but come on; the simpler movements are boring to view. In hand, there’s something special about watching the Patek gold rotor move under the sapphire display. Again, it feels precise and expensive.

So, how is the 40mm Cubitus on the wrist?

Even if this Cubitus isn’t the next coming of the Cartier Tank, it’s a tantalizingly nice watch on the wrist. The gold has heft, but the watch feels lithe. All the attributes from the case design translate to a seriously smooth operator that seems special. Best of all, and unlike the 45mm version, this piece wears like a watch instead of a cuff. It also ticks the versatility box and should work in most environments. Patek’s decision to guarantee a 30m depth rating is a bit weak (and likely understated), but I suppose the Rolex will have to come out at the pool.

Regarding the bracelet, there’s yet another similarity to the Nautilus. H-shaped links alternate with rectangular, polished intermediate links. This results in a smooth experience on the wrist. In fact, this design is the game-decider for me in the Nautilus-versus-Royal Oak stakes. Unlike an old Nautilus, though, the 40mm Cubitus has a lockable micro-adjustment system under its push-button clasp.

Overall thoughts on the 40mm Cubitus

Some folks will never forgive Patek Philippe for the initial Cubitus release and President Thierry Stern’s later comments once the criticism started to flow. So be it. I’m looking at the 40mm Cubitus in isolation, and I can unequivocally state that if the shape is remotely interesting, it’s worth a closer look. The quality is there and, finally, so are the dimensions. The price, on the other hand, is a tough pill to swallow. At £65,600 in either form, these are mind-numbingly expensive. Sure, this is Patek Philippe, but wow! Then again, I suppose interested parties won’t be bothered. So let’s restate it: aside from the pricing, the smaller Cubitus is a nice watch. Let’s hope for a stainless steel model.