Taking rich moments from a historical ancestor, the Patek Philippe 5212A Calatrava Weekly Calendar Watch is full of surprises. Taking a step away from the precious metal cases the brand is well known for, this timepiece stands supreme with a stainless steel case. The dynamic watch boasts a sector dial, a very striking handwritten font on the dial, and featuring a new movement. Expertly crafted, this timepiece reflects the brand strategy and sophistication.
Creative Complications
As an expert in calendar timepieces, the brand offers a combination of highly sophisticated calendars and complications. This watch has escaped that legend as the brand took a different path from the classic aperture/sub-dial signature and adopted a sector-style dial. The Patek 5212A Calatrava was designed to be a strategy timepiece and open the door to new complications. Incorporating a weekly calendar function is very popular in business and one that the brand feels can bridge a gap from just an ordinary stainless steel timepiece. The business aspect is clear in using weekly numbers for schedules and delivery dates, especially in Europe. Watches that possess this excellent feature of week displays are rare and why the brand took the step.
Vintage Inspiration
Patek Philippe drew inspiration for the 5212A from the case of the 2512. The spectacular one of kind design crafted in 1955 provided a foundation for this new timepiece. The case size was not the attraction, the lugs were the draw and recreated for the Calatrava. The two-tier lugs protrude just slightly above the caseband, extremely difficult to craft, but breathtaking in the results. The new watch reference the prior utilizing the same numbers in just a rearranged order.
Everyday Dressy
Standing alone in the brand collection as the only stainless steel dress watch, it is unique in many aspects. The wearable 40mm diameter, yet lean 11.18mm height makes this timepiece dressy, but with the practical nature of steel. Designed with a three part case and polished by hand the snap bezel and back are pressed onto the caseband. Carrying a slight casual feel to the watch, the light brown calfskin strap with white stitching allows one to feel elegant but relaxed.
Sector Spectacular
The opaline dial of the Patek Philippe Calatrava Weekly Calendar 5212A is protected by a beautiful vintage-style box sapphire crystal that features a slightly cambered display. Representing a clear departure from the other calendar watches, the sector dial is laid out with concentric circles highlighting the calendar functions. As you look at the timepiece on the outermost dial, two concentric scales showcase the months and corresponding week number. The next features the time with indices in baton-style. Certainly the profile of these indices and the sharp sloping facetted hands provides a clear picture of what the brand is known for. The days of the week are where the unique and charm on this timepiece excel. The dial typography was created by the handwriting of one of the brand designers and is truly exquisite. All indications with the exception of the date window at 3 o’clock are read by five centrally mounted hands. Each of the slender facetted hands plays an integral part in this timepiece.
Calendar and Movement
Patek Philippe Calatrava Weekly Calendar 5212A created a new semi-integrated mechanism for displaying the days and number of week. The mechanism is comprised of 92 parts and a very slim height of 1.52mm. The functions are adjusted with the crown and two correctors, as well three different positions are then used for winding, and correcting date and time. The brand also crafted a new movement based on the self-winding calibre 324, with some significant upgrades and improvements. The Calibre 26-330 S C J SE saves energy, improves balance inertia and is equipped with a stop seconds mechanism. All this means is precise time and complete accuracy within one-second.
Perfection To The End
Maybe not for everyone, but certainly for anyone, this timepiece is more than a watch. Keeping track of the calendar can be sterling, and in this case a very silver lining!
