Simply Superb
PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA “CLOUS DE PARIS”
A well-curated watch collection should include a minimum of three watch styles to cover almost any occasion: an everyday watch, a sports watch, and a dress watch. The look of the dress watch is particularly important since it must flawlessly pair with formal wear. Not only should a formal watch be timeless and subtle (less is more here) but it must also be slim enough to slip under a shirt cuff. As one of the finest dress watches available today, the Calatrava from Patek Philippe is universally recognized as the quintessential expression of the round wristwatch. Supremely elegant with pure lines and exquisite detailing, it has established itself as one of the most beautiful manifestations of timeless elegance.
Introduced in 1932, the Calatrava has become Patek Philippe’s signature dress watch collection by faithfully following the Bauhaus design principle of form following function. As a result, the defining features of Patek Philippe’s Calatrava watches are slim round cases and understated legible dials. Some of the most recognizable Calatrava models have been those embellished with guilloched hobnail bezels, a decorative design known as “Clous de Paris” in French. The first Calatrava model with a Clous de Paris bezel dates back to 1934, and Patek Philippe has regularly returned to this distinctive design feature for select Calatrava models.
SLEEK AND SLENDER
With their 2021 debut, the Ref. 6119 Calatrava “Clous de Paris” establishes a new milestone in the history of Patek Philippe’s most famous timepiece collection with a pair of new timepieces. The Ref. 6119G in 18k white gold and the Ref. 6119R in 18k rose gold represent the newest Calatrava models to showcase the Clous de Paris bezel. The new watches feature a larger 39mm case size to suit modern preferences for larger-sized watches. Despite the larger diameter, measuring just 8.08mm thick, the cases retain the slender profile integral to the Calatrava collection. The refined case design further highlights its defining design feature, an intricately decorated bezel with a guilloched hobnail pattern that is both striking to see and a pleasure to touch.
The larger case provides more room for the dial too, which is beautifully balanced and sublimely finished. The Dauphine-style hour and minute hands sweep around the dial to point to applied faceted “obus” (French for artillery shell) hour markers, complete with double markers at 12 o’clock. Completing the look of the highly legible dial is a small seconds indicator positioned at six o’clock and a railway-track minute scale that runs along the periphery of the dial. The Ref. 6119R in rose gold houses a beautiful silvery-grained dial and the Ref. 6119G in white gold is styled with a striking charcoal gray dial.
A NEW CALIBER
The caseback is furnished with a sapphire crystal to display the beautifully decorated and entirely new manual-wind movement housed within. The new movement, Caliber 30-255 PS, is larger than its predecessors and now accommodates two mainspring barrels instead of one. This translates to a longer power reserve of 65 hours while still retaining the hallmark accuracy of -3/+2 seconds per day. This new movement is fitted with a hacking feature, allowing the second hand to stop when the winding crown is pulled out, which enables hyper-accurate time setting. Staying true to Patek Philippe’s commitment to excellence, this new movement harmoniously pairs exacting performance with superior aesthetics. The movement is flawlessly decorated and finished with details such as Geneva striping, chamfered surfaces, and polished edges.
In keeping with Calatrava tradition, the new models are fitted with alligator leather straps that have substantial square scales. The rose gold version is paired with a chocolate brown strap, and the white gold edition has a shiny black strap; each equipped with a matching 18k gold pin buckle. The Reference 6119 is a worthy successor to the long line of Calatrava “Clous de Paris” models that came before it, and is the ideal timepiece to introduce a new generation to Patek Philippe’s famed dress watch.
