Patek Philippe

The watch was released as a limited edition of 300 in 2006 in celebration of the newly opened boutique (at the time) in Geneva on Rue de Rhone. On the rear of the stainless steel watch is a delicate engraving of the building with the commemorative description;  “1839 – 1892 – 2006.” A lot of history right there. Inside the watch is a manually-wound Patek Philippe manufacture, hand-made movement – the Calibre 215PS (which is simple and elegant). The size of the watch is also classic and in defiance of certain modern trends. It is 36mm wide and just 7.5mm thick. The finishing on the watch isn’t bested by any other watch on the plant. Look at the close-ups of the dial and see just how perfect everything is. The design, while simple, has that typical Patek Philippe charm.

This “Geneva Boutique Rue de Rhone Classic Calatrava Ref. 5565 watch is probably exactly what I want in an “everyday Patek Philippe watch.” The styling is based on the concept that early wrist watches were made for well-to-do gentlemen as status symbols (as watches cost a great deal), but were still tools. Thus the design is legible but beautiful. The center part of the dial is done in brushed steel which contrasts with the different finish on the rest of the dial. Arabic numerals are calm and effective, while the hands and hour index dots are lume filled. The subsidiary seconds dial looks like an industrial designer’s interpretation of the sun, which may or may not be intentional, but I like it.

Credit: A Blog to Watch, March 23, 2009

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