Patek Philippe Calatrava 5022 Platinum

The Watch

As the dress watch continues to have more and more of a moment, and in this world, all roads lead back to the Calatrava. Combine this unassuming dressy focus as of late with the perpetually maturing market for 'neo-vintage' watches, and what comes of it is the Patek Calatrava 5022. Only produced for six years during the turn of the 21st century, the 5022 was seen in all precious metals, with platinum being the rarest, precisely the case metal of this 5022P. Measuring 33mm in width, this platinum piece is the true embodiment of a dress watch, with an ultra-thin, svelte presence defined by its classic straight lugs and stepped bezel. Complete in high polish, the 5022P exterior is quintessential Patek and perfectly reflects the house's understanding of the importance of proportionality as a key trait of their pieces during this era. 

While the proportions are crucial in the visual and physical success of the 5022P, the dial of this example elevates the watch to even loftier heights. Other examples of this reference include some factors with its dial, highlighting its age, but this piece is the opposite. It all begins with the crisp, sharp white dial, which is paired with printed black Breguet numerals, a railroad track and matching black Breguet-style hands. Combined with the subsidiary seconds register at six, also with a railroad, Arabic numerals, and a black hand, this lineup of elements makes for a monochromatic appearance which is rooted in tradition yet, in execution, feels fresh and a little different.

Less is always more with dress watches, certainly with the Calatrava, and for this 5022P, its heavy weight heft beautifully contrasts its personality-rich dial and ultra-thin case.

The Movement

Powered by the Calibre 215PS, this hand-wound movement is the key to the 5022P's wonderful sizing due to its ultra-thinness. With a power reserve of 44 hours, a frequency of 28,800 vph, and a finish throughout featuring Geneva striping and chamfered interiors, this is a calibre ideally suited to a Calatrava.

How It Wears

With its 33mm width and lug-to-lug distance of 38mm, the 5022P is unsurprisingly seriously comfortable for a wide spectrum of wrist sizes. The 33mm may scare some collectors off as being too small, but the prominent straight lugs ensure the watch maintains a commanding presence. Its dressy appearance is also refreshingly versatile, capable of adding the pièce de résistance to dinner wear or even juxtaposed excelling on the casual weekend breaks. By not being one to follow trends or have a penchant for garish statement-making, it's one of the most unassuming Patek Philippe models from an era of the manufacture gaining traction with collectors.

Condition

This Patek Philippe 5022P is presented in unpolished, fantastic condition still maintaining deep hallmarks and is sold with its original box, original platinum pin buckle, and an insurance document from Patek Philippe confirming the original matching numbers of the piece.

Origin

It's widely regarded that Patek Philippe has occupied the top of the horological tree for centuries, consistently building some of the greatest watches to be produced. The brand has invariably had an eye for traditional, sophisticated, and mechanically significant creations. A combination of the aforementioned and often low production numbers has resulted in a plethora of highly collectable and exceedingly rare watches that often dominate auction headlines. No matter the watch Patek Philippe turns its hand to, excellence follows.

Yet, their humblest and most understated model series is the root of their success. A creation so iconic, its configuration and name are referenced throughout the industry: the Calatrava. It's hard to believe today, but during the early part of the 20th century, Patek Philippe was struggling. Regardless of its prestigious reputation, they weren't immune to the Great Depression, and the brand needed a saviour both in the shape of new owners and a new model. As such, the 96 was born under the Stern family in 1932. A reference that focused on remaining understated, refined, and, most notably, widely appealing, the straightforward time-only watch became known as the Calatrava and became the blueprint for all dress watches. It's a series that has shifted through the ebbs and flows of each passing decade, evolving in design and modernity.

Produced during the turn of the 21st century, the 5022 Calatrava is a graceful callback to the essence of the Calatrava, released during an era where not just the appreciation for classics returned, but also collecting as a whole. First released in 1997 and discontinued in 2003, the 5022 was a short-lived production model, yet its appeal and relevance remain more prominent than ever with its uncomplicated focus on the core Calatrava tenets. Produced in yellow, pink, and white gold as well as platinum, it's believed that the latter of the case metals is the rarest.

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. No stock is kept on site.

* Every watch is delivered in a Mr WATCHLEY Membrane Protection Box for a safe transportation in addition to its original set *