Patek Philippe : Technical and aesthetic refinement

Calatrava Reference 7121J
Case: yellow gold, bezel set with 66 diamonds (0.54 cts), transparent sapphire crystal back Diameter: 33.3 mm Movement: ultra-thin hand-wound (Calibre 215 PS LU), 157 parts, 28,800 vph, 44-hour power reserve, Fine Watchmaking finishes, Patek Philippe Seal Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, precision moon phases (on-day deviation every 122 years) Dial: grained cream-toned, gold Arabic numerals and hands  Strap: hand-sewn square-scale alligator leather matt beige mother-of-pearl, yellow gold pin buckle Water resistance: 30 m

Patek Philippe offers the ever-increasing number of women interested in mechanics and complications a watch that is refined in every respect. The movement is one of the great classics from the Manufacture, equipped with the patented Gyromax balance-spring and Spiromax hairspring, which indicates the moon phases with extreme precision. Its irreproachable finishes, traditional Côtes de Genève and slightly rounded unusual chamfers can be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back. In terms of decoration, Patek Philippe has selected a Calatrava case with contemporary dimensions, characterised by the so-called “Officer” shape with domed sides, straight strap lugs and screwed-in pins. It is lit up by a constellation of diamonds set around the bezel framing a finely grained cream-toned dial enhanced with applied Breguet-type Arabic numerals. Gold hands that are Stuart pear-shaped for the hours and minutes, and leaf shaped for the small seconds, along with gold-dusted moon and star symbols, add to the elegance of a resolutely timeless creation.

 

Brice Lechevalier is editor-in-chief of GMT and Skippers, which he co-founded in 2000 and 2001 respectively. He has also been CEO of WorldTempus since it joined the GMT Publishing stable, of which he is director and joint shareholder. In 2012 he created the Geneva Watch Tour, and he has been an advisor to the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève since 2011. Also closely involved in sailing, he has published the magazine of the Société Nautique de Genève since 2003, and was one of the founders of the SUI Sailing Awards in 2009 and the Concours d’Elégance for motor boats at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2015.

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