Let us be fair… The Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524G (the white gold version) was a hot topic of discussion when started in Baselworld 2015. Regardless of the inherent attributes of this watch, it’s been misunderstood. Too early, too radical, too distinct maybe. 3 years have passed today and there’s a new version in the collection, currently in gold with a warm brown dial, under the ref. 5524R. With this new mixture of colours, we think that it’s time for the reconciliation. Let us have a closer look in the currently quite -Patekish Rose golden Calatrava Pilot.
This new improved gold edition of the 5524 is not anything more than a change of colors — for both the case and the dial — and the men’s version of some pair of watches introduced at Baselworld 2018. Indeed, not only Patek has upgraded the men’s version but a ladies’ version has also been added into the group, the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 7234R Lady and its own 37.5millimeter case — and really, it looks entirely equivalent with just different proportions, as reported by Rebecca within her review . Two distinct sizes and a unique recipe for an extremely desirable pair of watches. So, the question is: why this quite straightforward change of colours makes such a difference? Reply a bit later in this article, following a look in the watch .
As said, the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524 was introduced at Baselworld 2015 as a true heritage, a correctly unprecedented watch with (at first) no actual link with Patek’s history. “A pilot’s watch by Patek? But did you say ? Yes, I did…” As I could recall, people at that time have been amazed by this brand new watch — like me as few watched the link with previous models of the brand. It stays rather unknown but Patek had fabricated pilot’s watches in the past — as we explained in our first policy of the 5524 here. As multiple other manufacturers, Patek created military and pilot watches before WWII. Back in 1936, Patek Philippe 5524g calatrava pilot replica watch created a exceptional watch referred to as”hour angle dial” (with a unique feature, as the hour hand moves once in 24-hour and pointing the degrees of arc onto the centre circle divided into 360 degrees). Without being a proper re-edition of this watch, the 5524 was inspired by this fairly unknown piece — that is currently exposed in the brand’s museum.
The watch Patek came with Baselworld 2015 was quite classical — gothic applied numerals and antique pilot’s hands (that compared to the Zenith Type 20 watches) — but if considering Patek’s creation, it had been somehow radically different. So different that this watch proved to be a hot topic of discussion. Back then, it was surely a misunderstood invention. Still, the view had some arguments and, 3 years after its launching, many changed their minds — including me — and also the 5524 became a vital element of their group (even with all the inaugural white gold/blue dial mix ).
With the Rose golden Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524R, it’s time for the reconciliation, as this 2018 version comes with a timeless and highly Patek colour combination: rose gold case and warm brown dial. Warmer, far more lavish and precious, the dial is not any longer matte but includes a sunray brushed pattern which adds to the luxurious appeal of the watch and creates pleasant reflections. Altogether, the watch drastically changes in terms of design but also of category — by a sports casual watch in white gold into a tasteful contemporary watch in rose gold. And in my books (I am sure many will share these feelings with me), this watch feels both more picky but also more desired. It re-gains the elegance you’re expecting from a Patek Philippe 5524g calatrava pilot travel time replica.
The dial is also quite intuitive. The local time is signaled by the main cathedral hands while the home hour is given by the skeletonised hand. The 6 o’clock-positioned date is, of course, linked to the local time and both time-zones gain from their particular day-night indicators (together with apertures at 3 and 9 o’clock, changing from white at day-time to blue at nighttime ). This traveller’s screen is complemented by a central second hand.
Inside the case is the well-known calibre Calibre 324 S C FUS (such as seconde fundamental fuseaux or central second time-zones). This movement is based on the symbolic self-winding calibre with central rotor located in various Calatrava watches and about the Nautilus 5711 or the Aquanaut 5167. Measuring 31mm in diameter with a height of 4.9mm, the movement has 294 parts and is enhanced using Patek’s innovations like a Gyromax® free sprung balance wheel and a Spiromax® balance spring. The high level of manual finishes and precision with a tolerance of no more than -3/+2 minutes per day — are corroborated from the Patek Philippe 5524g pilot travel time replica watches Seal.
The elegant casual look of this Patek Philippe 5524 rose gold fake watch Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524R is further enhanced by a nice calfskin strap with matte brown colour — and not a old-school shiny alligator strap, as frequently viewed at Patek — and a three-piece fastener system. In this case, the clevis fastener was motivated by the harnesses that allowed pilots to maintain their survival kits to hand and readily deployable.
The Patek Philippe calatrava 5524r clone watch Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524R is an impressive view. The new colour combination makes a huge impact concerning feel and look on the wrist, using a much more elegant touch. In the end, probably the version which Patek must have started first to avoid the talks seen in 2015… Price: EUR 43,210 — not cheap, but justified somehow by the execution and the beauty of this watch.
