KEEPING TIME WITH TRAVEL
At Baselworld 2019, the Geneva watchmakers had the chance to unveil this impressive model, one of the most complex watches in its range.
In 2015, the traveller’s watch gained in prestige with the 5524 model by Patek Philippe. The watch stood out with a style inspired by pilot’s watches and featuring improved readability. A press on one of the two monopushers near the top and the bottom of the case were used to move local time forwards or back. This year, the Geneva manufacture has launched a striking new version, the Calatrava Pilot Alarm Travel Time (reference 5520P). The watch again features the practical GMT function, but now comes with an alarm.
On the dial, local time and the minutes are shown with Super-LumiNova®-coated hands. A third, skeletoned hand keeps track of the time at home. The date is shown in a counter at 6 o’clock. Two day and night indicators round off the time data. A double counter has made its appearance at 12 o’clock, showing the time set for the alarm. “On” and “off” are shown with a bell that changes colour depending on the setting. It is white when activated and black when turned off. You choose by pressing on the monopusher at 2 o’clock. When activated, the alarm rings for 35 seconds unless stopped beforehand. At 4 o’clock, the crown has several different roles. In the first position, you set the alarm clockwise. When turned anticlockwise, it winds up the watch. In position 2, the crown is used to change the alarm in either direction at intervals of 15 minutes. In position 3, you can set the time. It is worth noting that the date is synchronised to local time, as is the alarm.
The self-winding movement with 574 elements is housed in a 42.2mm-wide platinum case.
Price: 200,000 CHF patek.com
By Dan Diaconu