Grail Watch

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Did You Ever Ponder the History and Purpose of the Seconds Hand on a Clock or Watch?

April 13, 2017 By Stephen Leave a Comment

A recent question on Quora prompted me to ponder the common yet often pointless seconds hand. Why do watches have a seconds hand anyway? When were they added? I researched the history and function of the seconds hand and came to some interesting conclusions: They’re a lot older than I had guessed, but didn’t really become common until the 20th century.

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin, central seconds, history, operating indicator, Patek Philippe 27-SC, Patek Philippe Calatrava, seconds hand, sub-dial, Zenith 133

Patek Philippe 5015 Moon Phase Power Reserve: Calatrava Plus

January 10, 2017 By Stephen Leave a Comment

I’ve got a thing for classic dress watches in general and Patek Philippe Calatravas in particular, so I get excited when I see a real classic come up for auction. Such is the case with this Ref. 5015 Moon Phase Power Reserve: It’s not technically a Calatrava, but it features all the best elements of that line. Starting at just €7,000, who’s bidding?

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: 240/152, hunter, micro-rotor, Moon Phase, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe Calatrava, Power Reserve, PP 240

Seiko 6810-8000 (SCVL001): Japanese Piaget?

January 9, 2017 By Stephen Leave a Comment

This Seiko 6810-8000 (SCVL001) is as fine a timepiece as anything from a major Swiss maker, and this example is the one to buy!

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Cal. 6810, Credor, F. Piguet 21, Grand Seiko, hand-winding, Patek Philippe Calatrava, SCVL001, Seiko, Seiko 5740, Seiko 6800, Seiko 6810, ultra thin

Could an Officer’s Watch Be the Ultimate Patek Philippe Calatrava?

February 3, 2016 By Stephen 4 Comments

Today we take a look at Ref. 3960 and Ref. 5053, two “officer’s watch” Calatrava models. Although still not the perfect Calatrava, these are two very fine references!

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Calatrava, Calatrava 3960, Calatrava 5053, Chrono24, Essential Watches, Morgan and Company, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe 324, Patek Philippe Calatrava, PP 324, The Perfect Calatrava

Simply the Best: Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 5227

February 2, 2016 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Having rejected the original Calatrava Ref. 96 and its successors as well as the entire Clous de Paris line, I now move on to something really special. Ref. 5227, introduced in 2013, was a high-point for the series in terms of craftsmanship and was unlike anything before. Let’s take a look!

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Calatrava, Calatrava 5227, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe 324, Patek Philippe Calatrava, PP 324, The Perfect Calatrava

The Perfect Calatrava: Considering the “Clous de Paris” Ref. 5120

February 1, 2016 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Continuing my quest for the perfect Patek Philippe Calatrava, I turn to the other main branch of the family. In 1973, Patek Philippe added “Clous de Paris” guilloche to the bezel of a straight-lug Calatrava and a new legend was born. Today, many people think of this Ref. 3520 rather than the clean, flowing original when they hear the name! Is this the perfect Calatrava?

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Calatrava, Calatrava 5116, Calatrava 5119, Calatrava 5120, micro-rotor, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe Calatrava, PP 240, The Perfect Calatrava

In Search of the Perfect Patek Philippe Calatrava, Starting with Ref. 96

January 31, 2016 By Stephen 1 Comment

Whenever this subject of iconic watches comes up, you can be sure the Patek Philippe Calatrava is all over the list. Yet it’s hard to pin down which Calatrava is the one to get. With over 100 references produced, I am still trying to identify The Perfect Patek Philippe Calatrava. Ref. 96 has a lot going for it other than “first”, with the perfect case, wonderful dials, and small seconds. Check out this white gold Ref. 96 from Robert Maron – it’s the best Ref. 96 I could find today!

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Calatrava, Calatrava 96, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe 12-400, Patek Philippe Calatrava, Robert Maron, The Perfect Calatrava

Patek Philippe Calatrava 5090J: “The Russian Watch”

January 27, 2016 By Stephen Leave a Comment

On the subject of unusual Patek Philippe Calatrava references, may I present a very unusual sculpted model: Ref. 5090J from about 2000, also called the “Russian Watch” due to its limited production for that market. I found two examples of this unusual reference for sale, so I thought I would take a moment to talk about it.

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: 5090J, Beverly Hills, Calatrava, Calatrava 1491, Calatrava 2592, Calatrava 3574, Calatrava 5090, East Coast Jewelry, Essential Watches, Faberge, Miami, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe Calatrava, Russian

Stainless Tonneau: Patek Philippe Calatrava 3574

January 26, 2016 By Stephen 1 Comment

This stainless tonneau is a genuine Patek Philippe Calatrava but Ref. 3574 is beyond rare. I bet most enthusiasts never even heard of this model!

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: 23-300, 3574, Breitling Datora 592, Calatrava, Calatrava 3574, Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe Calatrava, Robert Maron, stainless steel, tonneau, WatchCentre

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