Patek Philippe Calatrava 5196G: The Definitive Patek Philippe (VIDEO BLOG)

Written By WatchBox

Behold the definitive <a title="Buy Patek Philippe Watches" href="/watches/patek-philippe/">Patek Philippe</a>; the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5196G is the very image of the watch that saved Patek from the Great Depression, launched the Stern family dynasty, and propelled the Geneva giant to the exalted status that it maintains to this day.

When 21 year-old Henri Stern’s family of dial manufacturers purchased their bankrupt client, Patek Philippe, in 1932, Henri was charged with designing the company’s comeback watch. His timeless<a title="Buy Patek Philippe Watches" href="/watches/patek-philippe/"> Patek Philippe</a> reference 96 became the face of the new firm and the instrument of Patek’s salvation.
By the 1980s, collectors were pining for the reference 96, and Patek saw an opportunity to re-launch the line, now universally referred to by the nickname “Calatrava,” itself a nod to the company’s famed Calatrava Cross logo.
But it wasn’t until 2004 that the Sterns finally issued a <a title="Buy Patek Philippe Watches" href="/watches/patek-philippe/">Patek Philippe Calatrava</a> reference in the true image of the famed “96,” and that landmark successor, the 5196, remains a modern icon in the company’s lineup.
This Patek Philippe Calatrava 5196G has it all; baton indexes, dauphine hands, sub-seconds at 6 o’clock, tapered lugs, and a discreet crown without guards. Each element is a loving tribute to the original, but Patek wisely left the 31mm original case to the history buffs and upgraded the 5196 with a contemporary 37mm frame. It’s just enough to suit modern tastes without crossing the lines of voguish indiscretion.
Inside the white gold case (homogenous like Rolex white gold, not plated), the Patek Philippe caliber 215 PS keeps the beat with accuracy and classical good looks. Although hidden beneath the snap on case back, the cal. 215 in this example retains the famed Geneva Hallmark stamp of finishing excellence awarded to Patek’s finest models produced before July 2009. After that date, a romantic era closed with the debut of Patek’s private “PP Seal,” but that label fails to elicit the same emotional resonance as the old Geneva standard.
For traditionalists, the Geneva Hallmark still carries weight, and any significant discontinued feature piques the interest of Patek Philippe Calatrava collectors.
This Patek Philippe Calatrava 5296G is – hands down – the Patek to own if you can only own one *or* you must own the most important model in the catalog. The 5196 *is*<a title="Buy Patek Philippe Watches" href="/watches/patek-philippe/"> Patek Philippe</a>. See it with all factory boxes, manuals, documentation, and accessories in high resolution images on WatchBox.

Written By

WatchBox

View More Articles

WatchBox - Collecting Together

Official App

Recent Searches

Popular Searches

Patek Philippe Calatrava 5196G: The Definitive Patek Philippe (VIDEO BLOG)

WatchBox

WatchBox - Collecting Together

Official App

SHOP BY CATEGORY

Featured Collections

BRANDS A-Z

Featured Brands

Featured Stories

A Watch A Week

Featured Playlists

Recent Searches

Popular Searches

WatchBox

Related articles