Today, I set out to do something I’ve been dreaming about for a while – getting myself a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001. It’s a watch I’ve had my eye on, and I finally decided to take the plunge.
First, I did some digging online, trying to get a feel for the price and what to expect. I saw that the retail price is something like $41,710, but you can find them used for around $30,000. It is not a small amount, but it is a start.
Then I checked out a few different places, some online shops and some local jewelers. It was a bit of a mixed bag. One place had it listed as “in stock,” but the price seemed too good to be true, so I was a little wary.
I read somewhere that the wait time for some Patek Philippe models can be crazy, like 8 years for a Nautilus, but I also saw that the Calatrava might have a shorter wait, around a year. I wasn’t sure if that applied to this specific model, but it gave me a bit of hope.
After a lot of searching, I came across a place, I think it was called “Bob’s” or something, that was selling used watches. They had a certified pre-owned 5227R-001 for about $30,032. It was in “very good” condition and came with the original box and papers. It was from 2021, so not too old. They also said I could save 15% if I bought it. That was a pretty good deal. At the same time, I knew I wanted a new one, so I didn’t choose it.
I decided to check out a local jeweler called “Razny Jewelers,” I think. It is said that they had this exact model. When I got there, I saw it in person for the first time. The watch was beautiful. It’s got this 18kt rose gold case and an ivory dial. The hands and hour markers are also rose gold, and it has a date window at the 3 o’clock position. I tried it on, and it felt amazing on my wrist.
The jeweler explained that it’s powered by this self-winding caliber 324 movement, which is apparently pretty special. I also learned that it takes about a year or more to make one of these watches, which is kind of mind-blowing. They also mentioned that the Calatrava watches usually hold their value well, so it’s not just a pretty watch, but also a decent investment.
After thinking it over and going back and forth a bit, I finally decided to go for it. I bought the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001 from Razny Jewelers. It was a big purchase, but I’m so happy I did it. This is a watch I’ll treasure for years to come.
Here are some details about the watch:
- Brand: Patek Philippe
- Model: Calatrava 5227R-001
- Case: 18kt rose gold
- Dial: Ivory lacquered
- Movement: Caliber 324 S C, self-winding
- Date window: At 3 o’clock
- Strap: Brown alligator leather
Click to consult