Was This Patek's Peak?

Back in 2016, it was Patek Philippe's biggest announcement at Baselworld.

To quote the official press release: "Aficionados, collectors, and connoisseurs of mechanical timepieces will be awed when the see the new Patek Philippe World Time Chronograph Ref. 5930."

In fact, this was the first time a world time complication and a chronograph were combined in one tidy Patek Philippe package. And at 39.5mm in diameter, and under 14mm thick, (all wrapped in a white gold case) it packed quite a punch.

• Mechanically, it's a marvel: a self-winding flyback chronograph with a world time complication (try saying that five times fast).

• Aesthetically, it is stunning: The blue guilloche dial? Brilliant. The movement? Radiant.
  

• Practically, it's a triple threat: combining 3 powerhouse characteristics--the color blue, a chronograph, and a worldtimer complication.

It's no mystery, then, why recognized experts like John Reardon rank it in the top 5.

Regrettably, this magnificent model was discontinued this year--most likely to make room for the next generation (which, sadly, is downgraded to steel).

Which makes you wonder--was this Patek's peak?