Much like an exotic car, a perfunctory watch is admired not only for its body but for the engine that controls it. A look under the hood of the newly launched Calatrava Haute Joaillerie Ref. 4899/901 will give you a glimpse of the exquisite self-winding mechanical movement –  entirely designed and manufactured by the watchmaking masters at Patek Philippe.

Launched at Basel world 2019, the latest addition to the Calatrava legacy has a lot going for it. Outstanding design. Exceptional brand recognition. Optimal Precision. Unparalleled resale value. The list goes on. The iconic model is now available in a palette of blue tones, exuding an ultra-feminine allure.

The softly rounded contours of the white gold case are set with staggered rows of diamonds, interspersed with sapphires in varying intensities of color.

On the lower part of the dial, diamonds mingle with blue sapphires in a “random” or “snow” setting, while the upper part, in mother-of-pearl, features a hand-engraved feather motif in delicate blue tints.

The Calatrava is one of the defining models of the Patek Philippe brand. They released the first men’s model in 1932 and the first ladies’ model several decades later. This model displays basic hours and minutes and boasts water resistance up to 30 meters. However, its most notable feature is a 22-karat yellow gold off-center mini-rotor. The mechanism is indicative of Patek’s Philippe’s extreme attention to detail in their finishing techniques. The model exemplifies the brand’s continued strength in the area of women’s novelty watches.

The illustrious history of the Calatrava series is an inspiration for the watchmakers to continuously push the boundaries of timekeeping excellence. The spirit of innovation is perpetually beating at the heart of iconic watchmakers, while this model can possibly be the best dress watch of all time we look forward to many more technological breakthroughs from this legendary company.