One of the bedrocks of the Patek Philippe collection is its classic dress watch- the Calatrava. A necessary foundation piece for any Haute Horlogerie brand, the dress watch is a must and with the Calatrava, Patek Philippe continues to build on its rich tradition till this day.
For a bit of historical context, we go back to the ’30s when Charles and Henri Stern purchased the Patek Philippe brand. To revamp the manufacture, the first model they produce is, of course, the Calatrava. The Ref. 96 came in 1932, at a time when wristwatches were beginning to take over pocket watches and it was a move that cemented their status as one of the eminent watch brands of the world. To this day, the Stern family still owns Patek Philippe and you can tell that the Calatrava remains a very important part of the catalouge.
Here I have a wonderful example of a Calatrava, the ref. 5022/1G; a simple dress piece of elegant proportions and understated luxurious design.
Released in 1997 and produced until 2003, the ref. 5022 was a relatively short-lived production model considering the production periods for some sibling Calatrava models. A classic example of the dress watches Patek made its name in producing, the ref. 5022 embodies the brand’s elegant sophistication. Featuring a stunning round case design with a slim profile, a clean and classic dial with slender lugs, the ref. 5022 truly reflects the subtle luxury of a Patek Calatrava. Beloved for its restrained aesthetics and under-the-radar approach to luxury watchmaking, the ref. 5022 was an appreciated offering from Patek, as it continues to be thanks to its rarity and elegance.
Typically offered on a leather strap, the ref. 5022 I have on offer here is a rare sight indeed thanks to its matching white gold bracelet. With a case constructed of the same material and standing at 33mm in diameter, this 7mm thick timepiece is a beauty on the wrist. As the heft of its 18kt white gold combines with its slim profile, the ref. 5022 offers a unique wearing experience that is seldom seen in modern horology with today’s sizing. Featuring a stunning white porcelain dial with applied Breguet numerals, this ref. 5022 distills everything we have come to love from Patek Philippe into one wonderful package that would make an excellent dress piece in anyone’s collection.
