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Patek Philippe Calatrava Weekly Calendar 5212A-001

WatchClarity
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I've been obsessed with this watch for a while.

With my work - a weekly calendar function is probably much more useful to me than a diver, GMT, chronograph, etc - no matter how much I'd like to think I'm James Bond.

What I don't understand though - is why is there so little information about this watch online? A steel Patek, available for under retail, that is genuinely interesting and useful? What's not too love!

Tell me why I'm wrong, or why you agree 😅.

Photos:
H20A3539.webp H20A3536-hero.jpg?ixlib=rails-1.1.webp

(Credit to Hodinkee)
 
Evitzee
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Personally I don't find the design attractive, too busy. And it is still a pricey watch, C24 has them from $30k to $60k. That's a lot of coin for a stainless steel watch with a not too sophisticated complication. IMO Patek Philippe is way overrated now, has been for about 40 years when they went full commerical.

Lower down a JLC Stainless Steel Master Control complete calendar is about $16,000 and probably a better overall movement with easier service requirements down the road, and an 8 year guarantee. Looks better, too, imo.

https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/us...ter-control-calendar-stainless-steel-q4148450
Edited:
 
MTROIS
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I must admit that I was recently also considering the 5212 as a first entry in the PP world for many of the reasons that the OP listed: SS case, quirky but interesting complication, oddball font used, and more on the dressy side vs. my state of the collection.

But in the end, I couldn't go past the fact that the watch was not even fitted with an annual calendar, antiquated movement with relatively short power reserve. Also, for this amount of money (mid 30s k$), I felt I could still find something more interesting, and the final straw in my reasoning was the behavior of Thierry Stern and the overall arrogance displayed there when they released the Cubitus.

But in the end, it is still a visually attractive watch and an oddball that the future may prove to be a rarity in the world of PP. This watch seems to be well suited for other color straps, such as their navy blue one, so it definitely provides with some flexibility.

All in all: Maybe go with your heart on this one??
 
rootbeer7
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I think it’s great in close-up photos. But, the person that’s buying this is unlikely to be in the first flush of youth with eyesight to match and taking a magnifying glass everywhere is cumbersome!!
 
WatchClarity
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Evitzee Evitzee
Personally I don't find the design attractive, too busy. And it is still a pricey watch, C24 has them from $30k to $60k. That's a lot of coin for a stainless steel watch with a not too sophisticated complication. IMO Patek Philippe is way overrated now, has been for about 40 years when they went full commerical.

Lower down a JLC Stainless Steel Master Control complete calendar is about $16,000 and probably a better overall movement with easier service requirements down the road, and an 8 year guarantee. Looks better, too, imo.

https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/us...ter-control-calendar-stainless-steel-q4148450
Wow... is all I can say to that Jaeger. Feel like deleting this thread now 😅 that blows the Patek out the water for almost half of the price.
 
ErichKeane
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JUST discovering this watch thanks to this thread:

That dial honestly looks like a redial, despite knowing it isn't. The lettering looks like it was hand drawn.

The fact that weeks-vs-months aren't consistent and that it is going to be 'wrong' a few days a month is pretty bad of a complication to the complication as well.

Looking at the instructions for the watch, the fact that a 50k watch still has the "dont quickset date/day between X and Y time!" is horrific. Half a dozen manufacturers have figured out how to quickset date/day without that warning. For 50k on a stainless watch, that is unacceptable.
 
WatchClarity
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
JUST discovering this watch thanks to this thread:

That dial honestly looks like a redial, despite knowing it isn't. The lettering looks like it was hand drawn.

The fact that weeks-vs-months aren't consistent and that it is going to be 'wrong' a few days a month is pretty bad of a complication to the complication as well.

Looking at the instructions for the watch, the fact that a 50k watch still has the "dont quickset date/day between X and Y time!" is horrific. Half a dozen manufacturers have figured out how to quickset date/day without that warning. For 50k on a stainless watch, that is unacceptable.
Wow, had no idea about the 'don't quickset between X and Y time'. I feel pretty annoyed when Rolex/Omega watches demand that, never mind £20k+ Patek's. Unbelievable.
 
theluckyluke
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That dial honestly looks like a redial, despite knowing it isn't. The lettering looks like it was hand drawn.

Actually all the letters are a bit different. And it’s jot just crystal distortion.
• B in “December” vs. “November”
• A in any day of the week
• Etc…

I think this is what gives it this redial style a bit. It’s quite surprising.
 
ErichKeane
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WatchClarity WatchClarity
Wow, had no idea about the 'don't quickset between X and Y time'. I feel pretty annoyed when Rolex/Omega watches demand that, never mind £20k+ Patek's. Unbelievable.
I'm glad I am not the only one who gets annoyed by these 😀

theluckyluke theluckyluke
Actually all the letters are a bit different. And it’s jot just crystal distortion.
• B in “December” vs. “November”
• A in any day of the week
• Etc…

I think this is what gives it this redial style a bit. It’s quite surprising.
Yep, and the more I looked at it, the worse it got!
 
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