Cover Ref. 6007A-001 Calatrava in polished stainless steel

Created to commemorate the completion of its modern production building in Geneva, the new Calatrava is limited to only 1,000 pieces

A Patek Philippe stainless steel watch is highly coveted by collectors. One of the rarest and most expensive Patek Philippe is Reference 1518 in 2016, which fetched a cool US$11 million, making it the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at that time. 

So it's interesting that Patek Philippe, one of the last family-owned Swiss manufactures, has chosen to craft the new Ref. 6007A-001 Calatrava in stainless steel—and one that is also produced in a limited number. But the reason behind its existence is to celebrate the completion of Patek Philippe's new 10-storey production building with a space expansive enough to gather all of its ateliers under one roof. 

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 3 Entrance into the new manufacture
Photo 2 of 3 White concrete passageways appear to interact with the bronze-coloured New York-style fire escapes outside
Photo 3 of 3 Patek Philippe's new manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva

Built at a cost of 600 million Swiss francs, it houses everything from the production of movement parts to the rare handcrafts department to facilitate a smoother production process and prepare the manufacture for its growth in the next three decades at least.

(Related: Rolex, Patek Philippe Ditch Baselworld To Create New Watch Fair)

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Above Sapphire crystal caseback embellished with the Calatrava cross

The new Calatrava with date function is an instant collectable with its polished stainless steel 40mm case with broad cambered bezel and a chic blue dial. The centre of the dial is decorated with a tactile "carbon" checkerboard motif while the pierced baton hour and minute hands in white gold recall the Ref. 6006 Calatrava. 

Flip it around to discover the beauty of the automatic 324 S C movement complete with a central rotor in 21k gold embellished with the signature Calatrava cross.

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