Patek Philippe Calatrava

€15,326.16

Description

First presented in 1932 with the Reference 96, the Patek Philippe Calatrava is the benchmark for classic men’s dress watches. The groundbreaking reference set the stage for nearly every piece Patek has released since, and became the blueprint for other brands’ approaches to classy men’s timepieces. Heavily influenced by the Bauhaus design philosophy, the Calatrava was then considered extremely modern with its minimalist, ‘less is more’ approach to watch design. The Calatrava 96 was also one of the first pieces the brand released after the Stern family purchased a majority share in Patek Philippe in the early 30s. In many respects, the 96 is emblematic of the Stern family’s contributions to Patek. The 96 was one of the earliest round watches Patek ever made, and was also the very first serially produced piece to receive its own reference. In the years since 1932, Patek has released dozens of Calatrava references, each with its own idiosyncrasies. Almost all share the underlying DNA of the 96, prioritizing subtle elegance above all else. This particular reference is a Ref 5022G, an incredible white gold Calatrava with unisex appeal. Sized in the classic 33mm of the Reference 3919, the 5022G has straight lugs that allow it to wear larger than its size, and true to the classic proportions of watches of the well-dressed. The dial features a beautiful printed numeral layout, and is accompanied by a subsidiary seconds dial. If you are looking for a classy timekeeper, but one you don't see everywhere, this is an excellent, ornate option.