Patek Philippe has just released its new Calatrava Ref. 4897 R: yet another member of its affordable *chuckle* Calatrava family.
The new timekeeper that targets successful businesswomen in need of a dress watch that would be able to be as discreet and elegant as it is attractive and charismatic, is powered by an in-house ultra-thin (only 2.55 millimeters!) PP Caliber 215 hand-wound movement.
Reserved for the majority of current Calatrava and Gondolo series, this classic mechanism is built on 18 jewels and beats at a standard frequency of 28,800 vph that allows the central-seconds hand to move in that familiar flowing fashion.
As usual for the whole Calatrava collection, the wristwatch sports an exterior that successfully combines classic and modern design cues making it one of the most exciting models in the brand’s extensive collection of timekeepers designed for the better half of mankind.
The beautifully finished movement (as usual, it features wide diagonal Geneva stripes, sunburst-finish gears, bridges with beveled edges, polished screw-heads, and the inevitable Patek Philippe Seal) comes packed in an elegantly-shaped case that is crafted from 18-karat rose gold.
Measuring just 33 millimeters in diameter and only 6.35 millimeters thick, the case will sit well on almost any wrist: an important thing for a lady’s watch where a couple of extra millimeters of thickness may completely ruin the design making the watch look like an expensive hockey pluck that was for some unknown reason strapped to a delicate feminine wrist.
It could have been thinner though, if not for the transparent case back that counts for at least one extra millimeter but, in my humble opinion, does make the watch much more attractive for those buying a mechanical watch for its movement, not for the brand name printed or applied to the dial. The mechanism with its lavish decor makes a nice contrast with the Spartan finish of the black dial.
The thin bezel is decorated with 72 round-shaped white diamonds that look surprisingly good on this timekeeper. Perhaps, it has something to do with the color and texture combination of the 4897 R’s matt brown satin strap and a dark chocolate-colored concentrically guilloched dial.
As you can see, the dial sports 12 elongated cone-shaped hour markers that are, too, made of rose gold: a signature design touch of the legendary family.
Well, I don’t know what women want, but the 4897R looks much more interesting than, say, competing products from Zenith, that are almost stuffed with diamonds.
Very nice collection, that one.
See also: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control 1833 Ultra Thin
Photos: Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe Calatrava 4897 R specification
Price range: $29,300 (MSRP)
Movement: Hand-wound, in-house, PP Caliber 215, 28,800 vph, 18 jewels, Gyromax balance, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes
Power reserve: 44 hours
Case: 18-karat rose gold
Size: 33.00 mm
Case height: 6.35 mm
Dial: Guilloched, dark brown
Hands: Polished, dauphine-shaped, rose gold
Hour markers: Applied, rose gold
Water resistance: 25 meters
Strap: Satin, matt brown strap, 16-mm prong buckle in 18-karat rose gold
Crystal: Sapphire, AR-coated