Well, Baselworld 2015 has officially begun, and I often like to start with Patek Philippe. There are some exciting pieces in the Patek 2015 lineup (you are gonna love the 5370 Split-Seconds Chronograph), but let’s start with a piece that I think will be controversial…the new Ref 5524 Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time replica watch. No doubt this one’s going to catch a lot of folks off-guard. At first glance, one might be inclined to think that this watch does not even look like a Patek Philippe. Indeed it is a pilot’s watch, as the brand seems to be trying to reclaim its association with aviator’s watches. It features a dual zone-time mechanism, with local and home day/night indication in apertures on either side of the dial, and a date sub-dial at 6 o’clock. The blue varnished dial has white gold applied numerals that are luminous (they hands are luminous as well). There is a crown at 3 o’clock and two pump pushers on the other side of the case. The watch is fitted on a brown calf leather strap with what Patek calls a “clevis prong” buckle. The contrarian in me likes this watch, but I think that most Patek fans will pan it on account of it not having that special, distinctive look that a Patek Philippe Calatrava replica watch should.
Hmmm…how about you?
Patek Philippe Reference 5524 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time
40.5mm white gold case, automatic mechanical PP Cal CH 28-520 C FUS (sapphire case back)
Price 42,000 CHF
The caliber CH 28-520 C FUS movement is also found in the best fake Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph Ref. 5990/1A.
I’ll be back with more details soon.