Patek Philippe Comparison.

[LabelKing]

I feel the New Calatrava has an inferior design to the Old Calatrava. I spent an hour comparing the two and I feel the Old One definitely has the esthetic advantage.

New One:

Old One:

 

[TommyX4437]

The new one is not as "busy" as the old one. However, they are both nice.

 

[singlechange]

Another example of an old Calatrava that was one timepiece in a fabulous private collection. It is up for sale now.

 

[Artisan Fan]

I prefer the "hobnail" finish better. I also don't like the markers on these.

 

[Cantabrigian]

I dislike the styling of each version to an extent that I believe I am really incapable of forming an opinion as to which one I like less.

If pressed, I suppose I'd have to vote against the minutely divided, printed small seconds dial.

I also do prefer the slimmer hands of the newer version.

 

[itsstillmatt]

While both simple watches, the design of the old has a lot of character while the new looks much more ordinary.

 

[zjpj83]

I agree that the new dials of the Calatravas are "ordinary" - perhaps even boring.

As a result, I'm now firmly in the Breguet camp for dress watches. I love their guilloche designs.

 

[dave]

I would disagree. I prefer the open track on the sub seconds dial. I think it balances it out a bit more and calls less attention to itself. plus, pictures of these watches do no justice. they are AMAZING in the metal.

I am a huge fan of all 3, but the newer 96 is my favorite. plus at 37mm it's a more modern size for us big guys.

 

[Mute]

Count me as a bigger fan of the older Calatravas, though my personal favorite is the 3919.

 

[Nantucket Red]

For Calatravas in this style, I prefer the 5127 in white gold.

I like the Piaget Altiplano even more.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

The old Calatrava has a more balanced, more aesthetically pleasing appearance. For the new Calatrava, PP increased the size of the case without also increasing the size of the movement, resulting in a watch face with a subseconds dial too close to the center and too far from the edge of the dial.

 

[Cantabrigian]

Originally Posted by zjpj83

As a result, I'm now firmly in the Breguet camp for dress watches. I love their guilloche designs.

+1

The whole 'not a continuous history of excellence' argument doesn't sway me in the least. I agree that their dial work looks amazing. For me they're ornate and antique-looking without being overdone to stodgy.

 

[LabelKing]

These (old ones) are comparatively large watches and are rather heavy. I didn't used to like them but have grown to like the design; someone wanted to sell me a mint '50s automatic center-seconds one for a very nice price some time ago, but I passed. Here is a nice two time-zone version:

For the "look for cheap", Omega made numerous iterations with a similar looking case and Dauphine hands.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by singlechange

Another example of an old Calatrava that was one timepiece in a fabulous private collection. It is up for sale now.

I actually feel the baton hands don't have the presence of the dauphine hands.

Baton hands are better left for the more stylized watches, such as those small rectangular watches of the '40s.

 

[Don Goldstein]

Originally Posted by Mute

Count me as a bigger fan of the older Calatravas, though my personal favorite is the 3919.

Me too, especially in pink gold! I remember the days when it retailed for less than $9000.