Patek Philippe presented its first Calatrava watch in 1932. The collection bears the name of a 12th century Spanish order of knighthood whose heraldic cross appears as Patek Philippe's insignia on the crowns of the company's timepieces. The upretentiously lucid style and poise of this round watch justifies its stature as a true classic. It is the blueprint par excellence of refined simplicity, a design school unquestionably dominated by the Geneva workshops.
In the course of time, the basic Calatrava collection was enriched with numerous ladies' and men's watches. Today, it comprises 25 different models. Subsequent to the launch of a highly contemporary larger version a year ago and of the Calatrava Travel Time on the occasion of the 2001 World Watch and Jewellery Show in Basel, the two new models now being introduced have their roots in classics. One is the Calatrava Ref. 5053, a self-winding model with sweep seconds and date in a traditional officer's case that has a sapphire crystal back protected with a hinged cover. The second newcomer, the extra-thin self-winding Calatrava Ref. 5120, marks the rebirth of a true archetype in horology.

Ref 5120 in white gold
Ref 5120 in yellow gold (triple view with movement and case details)

Ref 5053 in yellow gold (double view)
Ref 5053 in white gold

from the Patek Philippe press release
July 2001
www.patek.com