For all that much of the chatter around Patek Phillipe is dedicated to their coveted sports, models and grand complications, it’s worth remembering that while much of the prestigious Geneva-based brand’s output is destined for strongboxes and special occasions, the brand does make elegant watches intended for everyday wear.

That all-day-everyday approach is literally encoded in the women’s Twenty~4 line. The collection was launched in 1999, and was the first dedicated women’s collection for the brand — built on the premise of a watch that could suitably be worn at any hour of the day or night. The defining shape of the Twenty~4 was a blocky, “manchette”, or cuff silhouette, with a cambered rectangular case and matching bracelet. The other distinguishing feature of the line — and one that played well to the 24/7 approach, was the fact that the line was powered entirely by quartz. All this adds up to a collection that has proven, over the last 20 years, to be one of the brands best sellers.

Perhaps that popularity, along with evolving tastes and (dare I say it) an evolving understanding of what female customers are after in a fine watch, led to a significant evolution in 2018. Not only did the shape of the Twenty~4 change for the first time into the round reference 7300 series, but the watch was, for the first time powered by the automatic calibre 324 S C.

Fans of the bold geometry of the original Twenty~4 need not fear, as this year the cuff watch has been reinterpreted for modern times, in a medium-sized steel model. The most noticeable update is the changes to the dial — which is offered in gradated sunburst grey or a blue sunburst — the Roman numerals are gone, replaced with white gold applied Arabic numerals and batons, which are, along with the hands, filled with Luminous material. The case, which measures 25.1mm by 30mm. The Deco style of the case hugs the wrist and flows into the three-link bracelet with polished links. The lined of the case are emphasised by two rows of flawless Top Wesselton brilliant-cut diamonds (36 in total, weighing in at around .46 of a carat), which also serve to frame the dial neatly.

Patek Philippe’s own E15 quartz movement powers the new steel watches, which replace the outgoing steel references with Roman numerals (references 4910/10A-001, 4910/10A-010, 4910/10A-011 and 4910/10A-012)