Patek Philippe's First Release Of 2020 Is A Limited Edition Steel Calatrava
Watch enthusiasts may have had to bide their time a little longer than usual, but the wait is finally over, because Patek Philippe has just unveiled its first release of 2020: the limited edition Ref. 6007A-001 Calatrava in stainless steel, in honour of the completion of the company’s new manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland.
Spanning 10 floors in total, the stately and starkly modern facility unites all of the brand’s Genevan ateliers under one roof in anticipation of its growth over the next few decades, and offers ample space for every aspect of the watchmaking process, from basic machining to movement assembly to rare handcrafts skills like enameling, guilloching, and micromarquetry. There’s even a penthouse restaurant that can accommodate up to 880 guests, and an underground garage with room for almost 700 vehicles.
A momentous occasion such as this deserves a fitting celebration, and the commemorative timepiece certainly doesn’t disappoint. Taking a bold step away from the traditional characteristics of the Calatrava series, the Ref. 6007A-001 boasts a 40mm case and broad cambered bezel in polished stainless steel (a rarity in Patek Philippe’s collections), while the dial stands out with its novel grey-blue colour and graphic sector style.
Moving outward in concentric circles from the checkerboard, “carbon” patterned centre, the dial showcases a railway track scale as the hour circle with triangular markers, surrounded by applied white gold Arabic numerals, and an outer track providing a peripheral indication of minutes. A date aperture at 3 o’clock and a set of pierced baton hands add to its dynamic architecture, while a coating of Super-LumiNova on the indices ensures 24/7 legibility.
Powering the Ref. 6007A-001 is the well-known self-winding calibre 324 S C, featuring a 21-karat gold oscillating weight that clips along at 28,800 vph and delivers a reserve of up to 45 hours. The movement is visible via a transparent sapphire crystal case back, which is also marked with Patek Philippe’s signature Calatrava Cross and the words “New Manufacture 2019” — denoting the year workers first moved into the new facility. A matching strap in matte grey-blue calfskin with contrasting white stitching and a steel prong buckle complete this statement timepiece.
An instant classic (and collectible), the Ref. 6007A-001 Calatrava is available in a limited edition of 1,000 watches. Visit Patek Philippe's website to find out more.
