DEEP BLUE SKIES
PATEK PHILIPPE’S CALATRAVA PILOT TRAVEL TIME FLIES INTO THE SUNSET OF 2020 WITH THE NEW REF. 7234G-001 MODEL
Pilot’s watches might not be the first to come to mind when you hear the name “Patek Philippe.” That being said, the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva has two aviator watches crafted by the manufacture back in 1936. These inspired a whole new collection in 2015, the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time. The story continues this year with the launch of the new Ref. 7234G-001.
Before we delve into the details of the new timepiece, a short trip down memory lane might be in order. When the first Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Ref. 5524G-001 was released, it caused quite a stir. With its prominent white-gold case and luminous hands contrasting crisply against its blue varnished dial, its design was considerably unique compared to Patek Philippe's prevalent watches. Despite its distinctive design, the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time quickly established itself as a modern classic and drew attention to Patek Philippe’s role in the advances and innovations during the golden age of aviation.
The story then continues in 2017 with the limited-edition Ref. 5522 Calatrava Pilot which was showcased at Patek Philippe's "The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition" in New York. Following the limited-edition piece were 2018's Ref. 7234 in rose gold and 2019's Ref. 7234A, another limited-edition piece launched at the "Watch Art Grand Exhibition" in Singapore. With that, it brings us to 2020’s Ref. 7234G-001 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time.
Design-wise, the Ref. 7234G-001 comes in a white gold 37.5mm case, which contrasts nicely against the blue varnished dial. As befitting of its aviation heritage, the dial also serves as the perfect background for both its white gold applied numerals, filled with luminous coating, and its blue white gold luminous local time hands.
As the name of the collection seems to imply, this is a watch inspired by timepieces for pilots but designed with the modern traveler in mind. With that in mind, the Ref. 7234G-001 features a nifty Travel Time system to display a second
“As the name of the collection seems to imply, this is a watch inspired by timepieces for pilots but designed with the modern traveler in mind”
time zone—always a popular option among globetrotters keen to stay in touch with home. Back to the Travel Time system, it is part of the watch’s Caliber 324 S C FUS self-winding movement, and its design is both convenient to use and foolproof.
To adjust local time, the wearer simply needs to use one of the two pushers on the left-hand side of the case: The lower pusher moves the localtime hour hand clockwise in one-hour increments while the upper one moves it counterclockwise. When adjustments are being made, the local time hand is disconnected from the movement, so the watch’s accuracy—especially in keeping the minutes and seconds on time—is not compromised. The skeletonized hour hand also keeps indicating home time. Further enhancing the Travel Time system’s ease of use, the Ref. 7234G-001 also has two day/night indicators:
The aperture at 9 o’clock shows local time, while the one at 3 o’clock for home time. Finally, there’s also a patented safety lock that prevents unintended adjustment of local time.
All in all, what you have is a complication that is as useful as it is poetic, one which allows the modern-day traveler to jet to the far reaches of the world while easily keeping an eye on what time it is back home.
Last but not least, the Ref. 7234G-001 is fastened to its wearer’s wrist with a shiny navyblue calfskin scrap designed in reminisce of the harnesses worn by pilots. A second calfskin strap in vintage brown is also provided. With these little nods to the world of aviation, a design that harkens back to Patek Philippe’s role in the history of flight and a mechanical invention to accompany long journeys away from home, the newest Calatrava Pilot Travel Time offers the modern-day traveler a companion like no other.