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Patek Philippe Calatrava Watches
Popular Used Patek Philippe Calatrava Watches
Patek Philippe's Calatrava collection follows the principle that form follows function. The Calatrava is known and loved for its simple yet sleek, minimalist design. Over the years. Patek Philippe has added the option for additional features and complications. However, the Calatrava is most often a no frills, time-only watch. Since it was first introduced in 1932, the Calatrava has become an instant classic and is considered the brand’s flagship model.
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About Patek Philippe Calatrava Watches
Patek Philippe launched its first Calatrava model in 1932 with the Reference 96. The collection takes its name from the Calatrava cross that appears on all the brand’s watches. The emblem consists of a Greek cross with fleur de lis at its ends, in honor of Spanish Catholic tradition. This symbol is included on the crown, caseback, and clasp as an ode to one of the brand’s founders, Antoine Patek, who was a devout Catholic.
The design for the Calatrava collection draws inspiration from the minimalist principles of the Bauhaus art movement in Germany. The term Bauhaus literally translates to “construction house.” It was founded on the philosophy that all artistic mediums could be combined to create a total work for art and that form follows function. Ultimately, the Bauhaus style has become one of the most influential movements in modern design. The architecture and engineering of the Calatrava reflects the Bauhaus ideals, resulting in an avant-garde collection that showcases lustrous lines and understated sophistication.
Over the years, Patek Philippe has made some subtle updates to the Calatrava collection. Most models remain true to the original. They’re simple, sleek, time-only watches, like the Reference 5196. However, there are some other versions that boast additional features, like a date function, calendar function, small seconds hand, or a decorated bezel.
There are a couple notable variations of the Calatrava that have stood out over the years. The first is the Reference 3919, which was first debuted in 1985. This model features a unique guilloche “Clous de Paris” bezel. About twenty years later, Patek Philippe reinvented the popular model in a more contemporary way. In 2006, the Ref. 3919 was replaced with the slightly larger, more modern Reference 5119.
One of the most recent iterations of the Calatrava was released in 2017: the 5522A Limited Edition Pilot’s Calatrava. The 5522A was introduced along with a number of other limited edition watches in conjunction with the brand’s 10-day “Grand Exhibition” called the “Art of Watchmaking.” It was made in a limited production of only 600 pieces, available exclusively to the U.S. market.
The Calatrava family of watches has become the signature collection for the Patek Philippe brand. The line represents what the Patek Philippe stands for: classic elegance, timeless style, and horological precision. Today, the Calatrava is the most frequently produced model by Patek Philippe and is considered the flagship model for the brand.
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