Patek Philippe Calatrava

Patek Philippe has long been known for its complicated watchmaking, but following the stock market crash of 1929, fewer clients had the means to purchase these high-end timepieces. After securing a controlling interest in the firm, Jean and Charles Henri Stern decided to create a simple watch that would come in at a lower price point and appeal to the firm’s clientele. Using the principles espoused by the Bauhaus school and its minimalist, function-first philosophy, Patek conceived the Calatrava, taking its name from the Spanish military order established in the 12th century which had become the symbol of Patek Philippe. Since its debut in 1932, the Calatrava has become a byword for a simple, time-only dress watch — even from brands other than Patek itself. This piece, a Reference 6119G-001, builds on the foundational designs of its three-hand predecessors and is housed in a 39mm white gold case with a guilloché Clous de Paris bezel, signed crown, a sapphire crystal and a svelte case profile that will delight any wrist. The dial features a dynamic, vertically satin brushed anthracite tone acting as a canvas for its applied gold indices, the constant-seconds subsidiary register at 6 o’clock, a dauphine handset and a white-accented ‘railroad’ minute track Powered and visible by way of a sapphire exhibition caseback, this Calatrava features a hand-wound Patek Philippe Calibre 30-255 PS and comes fitted to a signed black alligator leather strap with a signed 18k white gold pin buckle. A proper Calatrava from the world’s greatest watchmaker is forever.