The Patek Philippe Calatrava stands out as one of the most iconic Patek Watches. It is also one of the more affordable collections produced by the company. Considered the epitome of classic luxury by many, this timepiece consists of several models noted for their sleek, understated design, making the collection a timeless masterpiece. The collection was created in the 1930s and features a unique design inspired by the elegant simplicity of the Bauhaus design philosophy.
Today, the Patek Philippe Calatrava is considered one of the most elegant dress watches, beloved by watch connoisseurs worldwide because it embodies the classic Patek Philippe aesthetics.
You can find watches in this collection within the $15,000 to $55,000 range, depending on your desired model. While this is in the lower range compared to the pricing of other Patek Philippe collections and many models from other luxury brands, it can still be considered a high price tag. Expectedly, spending such an amount of cash on a “simple round watch” with no extra bells and whistles might raise some questions. So, is the Patek Calatrava worth the investment? This post seeks to answer this question, exploring the impressive attributes of the Calatrava watch and what makes it worth the price tag.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Is the “Ultimate” Dress Watch
Despite their simplicity and elegance, not everyone likes dress watches. However, if this is your preferred taste in timepieces, then Patek Philippe Calatrava models are high on the list of recommended options worth every penny. That’s because Calatrava is considered the ultimate definition of what dress watches should look like. You can never go wrong with the simple and elegant design of this timepiece.
While there are surely a few exceptions that wander off the classic class dress watch aesthetics, most watches in the Calatrava collection are known for their simple and clean design. Most models in this collection have a simple round case with a time-only functionality. The simple and clean lines of the Calatrava watches create an aura of understated elegance that people have grown to love.
Essentially, the simplicity of this timepiece is what has allowed it to endure all of these years and is the major reason it is worth buying. Even with no embellishment or special features to convince you to buy, the minimalist approach of this timepiece allows it to showcase the beauty of the Patek Philippe line of watches in the purest form. Of course, for people who prefer watches with a little more spice, you’ll find a few Pilot-style watches and even some complicated models in this collection.
It is an Incredibly Versatile Timepiece
Another reason we consider the Patek Philippe Calatrava price well worth its value is its versatility. The simplicity and elegance of this dress watch make it the kind of timepiece you can wear for any occasion. Combine that with its durability, and you’ll be buying a watch that will last you for years while going everywhere with you.
Ultimately, you’ll get more use out of this watch than many other alternatives. If you do the math, you’ll end up with a lower cost per wear at the end of the day when you compare how much you bought it and how often you’ll get to wear it.
One reason for this watch’s versatility is its simplicity. Patek’s use of precious metals also means this watch can fit really well with casual clothing. Of course, it might not be strong enough for more rugged use cases like changing the oil in your car, mowing the lawn, or going to the gym (you’ve got your rugged sporty watches for all that). But this timepiece will match pretty much any casual outfit you can think of.
You can pair the Calatrava with a classic business suit, jacket, or jeans and T-shirt combination. People have been known to wear their Calatrava watches to black-tie dinner events and other formal occasions. This timepiece’s clean, uncluttered design means it will not get in the way of any other element of your outfit. Most models are designed to be slim enough to fit under the cuff of your shirt, so it’s barely noticeable. The versatility of this timepiece means you’ll be able to wear it across a range of outfits without worrying so much about whether it matches or not, which is the surest way to get your money’s worth out of it.
The Calatrava Is A Potential Heirloom Piece
Over the years, Patek has varied the design of the Calatrava collection as carefully as possible. This has been achieved by incorporating several subtle yet significant design changes while retaining its foundation of elegance and simplicity.
But even older Calatrava watches are still as fashionable today as they used to be several decades ago, thanks to their timeless design. Patek Philippe watches are generally advertised as heirloom pieces with the potential to last through generations. No other timepiece in the company’s portfolio embodies this attribute better than the Calatrava.
The thing about minimalist design is that they’ll never go out of fashion. The understated luxury of this timepiece will continue to resonate with watch aficionados from one generation to the other. This timeless design makes it possible to hold and pass this watch across generations, giving it the Calatrava and heirloom status.
The fact that someone in the past has owned a timepiece and has now been passed down adds some sentimental value to it, making it even more valuable than it was initially. So, beyond the initial cost of buying it, you’ll get a watch with decades of history behind it.
It’s So Often “Copied”
You’ll know something is good if others go to a great extent to copy its design. This is true for the Calatrava watches, whose design is so iconic that they are one of the world’s most copied timepieces.
We should clarify that not everyone copying the Calatrava design tries to sell you a “fake” version of the timepiece. While there are some actual one-to-one fakes of the Calatrava, many watch brands simply create designs similar to the Calatrava by borrowing crucial design elements from the collection and working them into their own timepiece. This isn’t a bad thing.
The fact that Calatrava is so often copied is another evidence that buying it will be well worth the price. Instead of buying a cheaper “knockoff” or “copied” version of this dress watch, you can go for the real deal by buying the OG of dress watches. Of course, this will mean spending more, but you’ll be getting an actual Calatrava and not something that looks similar.
High Resale Value
Calatrava watches (like many other Patek Philippe watches) will retain their value for years. Many models will even sell higher than their initial sale price, which is one of the major reasons they’re considered a great investment. There are many instances of people selling their Calatrava watches many years later and earning a decent return for their investment.
The Patek Calatrava collection has a rich heritage that goes back to the 1930s. The watch was introduced at a pivotal time both in the history of Patek Philippe and luxury watchmaking history in general. The rich history of this watch (especially for the older models) combined with the timeless design of each piece, the production quality, and the limited numbers are some of the factors that have aided the collection’s popularity and timeless appeal,
These attributes, combined with the impressive reputation of the Patek Philippe brand, make Calatrava a highly sought-after timepiece even in the secondary market. So when you buy a Calatrava, you can be almost certain you’ll get a good deal on it if you decide to sell it sometime in the future.
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Conclusion – Is It Worth It?
When it comes to buying watches and other fashion accessories, the answer to the question of the item’s worth can be pretty subjective. The super high price tag of Patek Philippe watches like the Calatrava often makes people question their value. However, for watch lovers who value the brand’s heritage and love the idea of a simple, elegant timepiece, Calatrava will always be worth its value to them.
Also, when you consider other attributes of this watch, like its timeless appearance and the fact that you can wear it comfortably for any occasion and potentially pass it on as an heirloom, it’s easy to see why buying one is a good investment. Of course, not all Calatrava models are equal, so you still need to consider the attributes and market value of the specific Calatrava model you’re trying to purchase to know its true worth.
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