Patek Philippe Calatrava 6000G Reviewed: Still The Ultimate Dress Watch In 2022

The Patek Philippe Calatrava remains the ultimate dress watch for luxury watch collectors. Now in its ninetieth year, the Patek Calatrava has won acclaim for its uncompromised quality, innovation, and consistency since the arrival of Patek reference 96 in 1932. Today’s show features the automobile inspired Patek Philippe Calatrava 6000G – one of the most distinctive and exceptional references from nearly a century of the world’s most famous dress watch.

Patek Philippe launched the Calatrava 6000G in 2005, but the roots of the model date back to 1992 and the Calatrava 5000. That reference, which was available in both limited editions and regular production, established the conventions of strong case lugs, off-center sub-seconds, and a radial-printed dial. Moreover, the unusual use of a caliber 240 micro rotor automatic movement broke from the Calatrava convention of employing either a manual wind movement or a center rotor automatic caliber.

Patek’s initial Calatrava 6000G was the 37mm white gold model featured on today’s show. This model includes several features that changed on subsequent variants. The matte black dial was replaced in 2008. The Geneva Hallmark departed the movement in 2009. And the successor model, Patek Philippe 6006G, arrived in 2017.

Each Calatrava 6000G dial includes the distinctive radial printed numerals of the original Calatrava 5000. But the 6000 series adds a pointer date with a radial calendar that echoes the design of the hour track.

Mechanically, the Calatrava 6000 retains most of the 5000’s running gear, but the caliber 240 adds the calendar function. Highlights include the slim profile and expansive display caseback that are signatures of micro rotor movements. The balance is a Patek Philippe Gyromax free-sprung architecture adjusted in five positions. Caliber 240 includes a beat rate of 21,600, and the maximum power reserve is 48 hours. All original 6000G-001 models include the historic Geneva Hallmark attesting to the beauty and quality of the movement.

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• A Lange & Sohne 1815 F.A. Lange 200th Anniversary 236.049 platinum, black dial $42,950
• A Lane & Sohne Datograph Up/Down 405.031 rose gold, black dial $76,950
• De Bethune DB28 DB28TIS8SLE black zirconium, titanium, moonphase, power reserve
o Email [email protected] for pricing
• De Bethune DB25 Perpetual DB25QPARS1 calendar rose gold, moonphase, automatic
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• FP Journe Tourbillon Remontoir (Souverain) series III, platinum, 38mm
o Email [email protected] for pricing
• Girard Perregaux Casquette 39800-32-001-32A black ceramic $7,950
o GMT, chronograph, secret date, calendar, LED digital quartz, 820 pieces
• H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Centre Seconds Turquoise/Lagoon dial 3200-1214
o Email [email protected] for pricing
• H. Moser & Cie Heritage Perpetual Blue Enamel
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• Moritz Grossmann High Art MG-003256 blue guilloche dial, stainless steel case $24,950
• Patek Philippe Calatrava 6000G-001 white gold, black dial, pointer date
o Not yet priced: email [email protected] for a quote
• Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph 5990/1A-001
o Not yet priced: email [email protected] for a quote
• Patek Philippe Nautilus Moonphase 5712/1A-001
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o 2021 sunburst metallic green dial, steel case, steel bracelet
o Not yet priced: email [email protected] for a quote
• Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona 116520 black dial
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• Vacheron Constantin Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 49005/000P-7622 $49,950
o Platinum, automatic, sigma dial, white dial