NEW Patek Philippe 5226G Calatrava

New and noteworthy: Patek Philippe 5226G Calatrava

replica Patek Philippe Calatrava 5226G-001

If you've been following the larger watch industry and its trends - and I'm assuming you have - you've probably noticed something: dress watches are becoming less and less popular. In every segment of the watch market, brands are releasing more and more sports watches and less clean, formal timepieces. For brands like Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and IWC, which all have extensive catalogs of sports watches, this isn't a huge problem. For a brand like Patek Philippe, whose product line consists mostly of precious metal apparel, that means new, sportier versions are not on the same path as the brand. One of them is the new Patek Philippe Calatrava 5226G, a watch that belies most Patek Philippe elegance.

history
Patek Philippe is a brand that has positioned itself as the arbiter of traditional watchmaking. Of the 142 watches currently offered, only 27 are in steel (or have it), most of them belonging to the Aquanaut or Nautilus collections. However, over the past few years (even decades), the world has become more casual. Casual Friday doesn't make much sense because everyone dresses well all the time. Millionaires wear hoodies, not three-piece suits. People have "nice jeans". If that wasn't enough, a two-year (and continuing) pandemic has cancelled all occasions where a formal fake watch is appropriate or required: the office, a nice restaurant, a party, the opera house.

As the gradual cultural shift ended with a sudden cessation of occasions, the world simply didn't need dress watches anymore. The result for Patek Philippe is a series of more laid-back designs, less obsessed with tradition and more focused on appealing to a new generation of customers who want a modern sports watch: especially pilot and travel time watches, but also the 5320 and 5172, with applied numbers and syringe hands, as well as a modern case. In 2022, Patek Philippe releases two that seem to reaffirm its commitment to creating more sporty products for new customers: the 5326 Travel Time with annual calendar and the matching three-hand 5226G with date. While the 5326 may have more of the complications Patek Philippe is known for, the Patek Philippe 5226G demonstrates the brand's desire to present simple, casual products.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava 5226G is a completely new watch, from the case to the dial to the movement. The 18k white gold case is a very hard-wearing 40mm case with a height of just 8.53mm. While 40mm may seem average considering current trends, the 5226G is the largest Calatrava model currently available and one of the largest simple models offered by Patek Philippe; for Patek Philippe, this is a large watch, its Size is the first of many concessions the 5226G makes to modernity. However, we immediately encountered a further shift. The most obvious is the guilloche Clous de Paris that surrounds the case. What's less noticeable is the angularity of the case. Patek Philippe makes soft, round watches – as do its previous sports products, the Aquanaut and Nautilus.replica Jacob & Co.

On the other hand, the 5226G is all faceted and sharp-edged. The lugs – fixed to the case back so that the nail pattern is undisturbed – protrude from the profile of the case, where bold facets meet at sharp edges. The sapphire crystal is modern and flat, and the bezel is simply sloped rather than the brand's typical round style. The only thing reminiscent of other Patek Philippe Calatrava models is the pull-out crown at 3 o'clock and the fact that the entire case is polished. The sapphire crystal caseback snaps to create a smooth feel even on the back of the watch and offers 30m water resistance. The watch is fastened to the wrist with a casual textured calfskin and fabric strap with a signature white gold clasp.

The dial of the 5226G is a complete left turn for Patek Philippe. While the brand has certainly explored delicate dials such as the enamels of the 5231 and 5531 or the arabesques of the 5738 and 5088, these pieces are displays of fine craftsmanship. The 5226G is relatively simple, with a textured charcoal grey, black minute/second ring, 5-minute indicator - just the brand's tacit approval of current market trends. The date window at 3 o’clock is aligned with the arc of the numerals and has a small beveled edge; the black date wheel has beige text, but lacks the texture of the dial and might be seen as slightly disruptive. Application of white gold Arabic numerals filled with beige luminous material, also filled with polished barrel hands;Best replica watches

The Patek Philippe Calatrava 5226G is powered by the automatic calibre 26-330 SC, originally launched in 2019, replacing the 324 calibre in the 5711. The movement consists of 214 components, including 30 jewels, a Gyromax balance, a Spiromax hairspring, and a shock-resistant system. The watch beats at 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of up to 45 hours. The oscillating weight is 21k gold with stripes and the Patek Philippe logo. The movement is rhodium-plated, decorated with Côtes de Genève and the golden Patek Philippe seal, guaranteeing a deviation of -3/+2 seconds per day.

competing with
With the changing times, another brand that seems to find itself in need of a modern watch is A. Lange & Söhne in Germany. After nearly 175 years of history, the brand has no taste for anything but the most formal of watches, and in 2019, the brand released A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus, a sports watch with a one-piece bracelet in steel. Without falling victim to the Genta design language that seems to define most other luxury steel sports watches, Lange has managed to create a watch that fully lives up to its brand identity and is undoubtedly a Lange timepiece. .

While H. Moser & Cie. never tires of it, the Moser Pioneer collection is a shift from a more classic design to a sportier case with higher water resistance. The two-tone rose gold and DLC titanium give the watch an edgy feel that the 5226G lacks, as does the rubber strap. The Pioneer collection is a stepping stone towards the brand's newest, more modern Streamliner range.replica ap watch

While I think it's more differentiated than the 5226G and doesn't quite reflect the brand's capabilities, the Patek Philippe 5522 Pilot Calatrava is another example of the brand's push for a less traditional, more casual design. Frankly, this model may be Patek Philippe's most dull watch in a while, but it's still Patek Philippe, so here we are.

I'm imagining some Italian loafers, "nice jeans," crisp white shirts, and perfectly cut blazers. The best craft, but still very casual stuff. That's what this watch is all about: style, taste and elegance, without being stuffy. This is exactly what Patek Philippe wants: a young, hip audience that values ​​tradition, craftsmanship and contemporary design at the same time.

If the Patek Philippe 5226G and other recent sport versions are an indication of what the brand is about to launch, then I'm here for it. There's a lot to like about the dial texture, markers, and angular case. If nothing else, it's exciting to see a brand so deeply rooted in its own heritage finally break free of these constraints and start incorporating some new ideas and respond to what's happening in the larger world of replica watches luxury.