Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time

The Patek Philippe Calatrava needs no introduction. Its classic design and elegant aura has transcended beyond the realm of ‘dress watch’ — quite literally. In addition to one of the earliest round dress watches ever manufactured, Patek also made a pilots watch equipped with large, luminous 'Arabic' numerals in the 1930s.  Patek? Pilots watch? Yes — it was, and still is, a thing. In 2015, the maison caught the watch world by surprise by debuting the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Reference 5524R. Housed in a 42mm case, this piece featured all the hallmarks of a tried-and-true pilots watch combined with Patek’s clever travel time complication beating within. A far departure compared to the svelte profile and reserved aesthetic of a traditional Calatrava, to be sure.  This piece, a Reference 5524R-001, features an 18K rose gold case with a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, and knurled pushers located on the 9 o’clock case side. On the reverse, the case features an exhibition sapphire caseback framing the maison’s self-winding Calibre 324 S C FUS movement. The brown dial features a stunning sunburst finish as well as large, luminous 'Arabic' numerals, a matching ‘sword’ handset, a ‘skeletonized’ jumping local hour hand, a subsidiary date indicator dial at 6 o’clock, day-night indicator apertures, and a white accented chemin de fer minute track. While a traditional Calatrava serves the horological masses, the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time is for the enthusiast with a specific preference in aesthetics and particular need for its travel functionality. Can jumping time zones get any more refined and unique than with this fabulous watch on your wrist? Absolutely not!