Patek Philippe Celebrates New Geneva Manufacture With Stainless Steel Calatrava

Enthusiasts of the Swiss luxury watchmaker Patek Philippe will know that its stainless steel models are rare to come by, but the company has decided to utilize this material for its first release of 2020 in light of a special celebration: the opening of its new manufacture in Geneva.

Beginning construction back in 2015, the new headquarters for the famous brand came with a price tag of CHF 600 million, or roughly $631 million USD. With 10 floors in total — six above ground and four below — the building provides ample room for every stage of the watchmaking process, from basic machining to hand-finishing and movement assembly. The restaurant on the top floor can accommodate a whopping 880 guests, while the underground garage can hold up to 700 vehicles.

The watch created in celebration of this phenomenal structure is the Ref. 6007A-001 Calatrava, a dress watch boasting the brand’s previously-mentioned rare choice of stainless steel. The case itself measures 40mm with just a 9.07mm thickness, making it ideal for everyday wear. A sapphire crystal sits neatly above a blue dial featuring an inner concentric circle with a cross-hatch pattern to give a more textured aesthetic. Roman numeral indices take the place of simple shaped markers, all coated with LumiNova for better legibility in dark conditions. Powering the timepiece is the in-house caliber 324 SC, which operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour. Completing the watch is a calfskin leather strap embossed with a woven pattern, complementing the textured dial.

Limited to just 1,000 units made across the globe, Patek Philippe’s limited edition Ref. 6007A-001 Calatrava will go for $28,351 USD.

Elsewhere in watches, Frederique Constant has released two new options for its Flyback Chronograph Manufacture.