my first - calatrava vs AC?

[tonupbklyn]

my first foray into a PP dress watch. for those who had done the same, did u contemplate between a calatrava vs an annual calendar?

the models I've been eyeing are very different from each other:

5107/27R
vs
5056P/5146G

the case/dial variant of the 5107/27 is minimal, and don't mind having the c315 over the more current c324.

the case/dial variant of 5056P/5146G are significant... again, don't mind c315.

in the perfect world, I'd have both.
but what considerations did others go thru if/when they had to decide between the two complications?

[soundserious]

Any chance you can reach for a 5205?

[tonupbklyn]

Originally Posted by soundserious

Any chance you can reach for a 5205?

not there yet with the 3-window layout.

[iceman1118]

I am a 5205 owner myself. It was my first PP because I wanted a dressier piece not worn casually. If you aren’t into the three dial layout then definitely consider the 5146 or 5396. Personally I would go 5146 if you were looking for a mix of casual and dress. If you want to reserve it for more formal settings then I would go 5396. Just a personal opinion.

As you can see I prefer the AC in this situation. To me Patek = complications

[francoamerican]

I'm considering along the same lines - dress watch calatrava vs complications etc) 20K-30K budget

How about stretching to 3940j? Is that too far out?

I haven't seen in the metal what a ~$32.5K used 3940j looks like, but on paper and in photos it seems quite appealing - and puts you in the "grand complication" realm. It's also undeniably a classic design that avoids *any* apertures.

[AK797]

5396 Breguets for me.

[daveyw]

Undeniably there is 'more' watch in an AC but the calatrava's simplicity with plain and easier to read dials do have that going for them.
I went for a 5146 but there is no wrong call

[rolex_addict]

I recommend getting an annual calendar preferably 5146

[thomaspp]

calatrava... the only calendar reference worth getting is a perpetual.

[glimmer]

I’d go Calatrava...it has more of a history to it.


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[Ichiran]

My pick is the 5146. That watch is unbelievable with those complications, and it holds value better than a Calatrava.

[Vipes]

My first Patek dressy watch is the 5230g world timer. I love the many details of the dial but love the simplicity of the mechanism. I would get bored of a simple Calatrava. Now the 5146 is a very nice watch. I was considering the 5146p before I got the WT. 5146 pre owned is one of the best bang for your buck Patek.

[codecow]

I have that exact 5146J I love it.

[bauhaus88]

I bought a Calatrava last year, and I have to admit I wear it everyday regardless if I'm just going to the grocery store or a dinner party so it has the versatility to dress it up or down. I don't regret buying the Patek as my first "adult" watch.

[tonupbklyn]

interesting... seems members are split down the middle on this one. alrighty, looks like i need both 5107 and 5146!

[lapince]

3, 1 and 2 in this order

[jon_jon]

For most people, price plays a role in getting a Calatrava vs an AC. If funding is not a major issue, go for the AC.

However the Calatrava is the classic Patek dress watch. The Patek Calatrava is the standard by which other dress watches are compared to. The Patek AC has a fairly short history of 20+ years, whereas the Calatrava has been around 80+ years.

The Calatrava was my first Patek dress watch and I added the AC later. But if you are planning to only have one Patek dress watch, then choose the one that you think you will wear more often.

[Silver Bullet]

Whoa. That 5127R looks amazing.

[Pangit]

My first Patek was a calatrava (5296G) but I recently purchased a 5146R. I love the Calatrava but do wonder whether I should have gone straight for the AC and I’ll have to wait and see how the Calatrava works out with the AC now in the collection.

[jag32]

Originally Posted by Pangit

My first Patek was a calatrava (5296G) but I recently purchased a 5146R. I love the Calatrava but do wonder whether I should have gone straight for the AC and I’ll have to wait and see how the Calatrava works out with the AC now in the collection.

I'm in the same boat. I have a 5296G and also a 5035J. I'm glad I have both the Calatrava and AC. They are both so different in appearance with my Calatrava being white gold on a black strap and my AC being yellow gold on a brown strap that they are two totally different watches and I don't regret having one or the other.

The only Patek that is a staple of my collection I will never sell is the Calatrava. It is so simple and so elegant and appropriate for wear to every locale except the tennis court.

For your first Patek, I would get the Calatrava.

[jag32]

I also want to add, if you are considering a Calatrava vs. AC then take a serious look at the 5035 available on the used market. The 5035 was the original AC discontinued in 2005 and excellent examples of these can be purchased for only $19.5k -- less than the cost of a new Calatrava. It is a fantastic piece and I thoroughly enjoy mine.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by thomaspp

calatrava... the only calendar reference worth getting is a perpetual.

+1

Haha - hadn't realized this is an old thread... well... not going to delete what I wrote...

My first Patek was a 3998P as I wanted sth classic + simple in white metal and didn't mind cal 315 either. Stil very happy and the 3998P is getting more wrist time than the 5711 blue that came later.

Never been interested in ACs as I tend to be very black and white and the ACs are decidedly grey for me. Also don't like the AC dial layouts much (don't like a supersized date window at 6 or 3 windows grouped around 12).

But I have been warming up to getting a PC at some point. Could be a 3940 or a modern version of the 3450 dial layout (less retro than 5320), unless, miraculously, an AD will sell me a 5740 at MSRP.

[G M Francis]

For me a big part about a watch is how I feel after wearing it in different situations, work/ casual/ holidays etc. I have a 5146G and it’s a great daily wearer. It looks great with a suit or a pair of jeans. I had a 5205 previously and IMO always looked out of place whenever I dresssed casually. Similarly a 5196 never looks out of place anywhere.

[AlexWazo]

I love complications, to me that’s what these high end watches are all about! I would go the AC and between the two I’d go for the 5056P in a heartbeat. Between the two I think you see less of that particular model and I prefer the Roman numerals to the three arabics.

I would love to get a Calatrava too, but complications stop my honestly. I would never see myself picking a Calatrava over my PC. If I needed something tougher, which for most situations honestly you don’t, I then go RO or my IWC mark xviii.

[mbalmz]

out of those two I'd go for the 5146. that said--and maybe this is sacrilegious to say on the PP forum--I'd looked at ACs in that price range and much preferred the Lange 1815 AC to the 5146.

[Justindo]

Among those watches, I like the 5146 best.

[alpharulez]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

For most people, price plays a role in getting a Calatrava vs an AC. If funding is not a major issue, go for the AC.



However the Calatrava is the classic Patek dress watch. The Patek Calatrava is the standard by which other dress watches are compared to. The Patek AC has a fairly short history of 20+ years, whereas the Calatrava has been around 80+ years.



The Calatrava was my first Patek dress watch and I added the AC later. But if you are planning to only have one Patek dress watch, then choose the one that you think you will wear more often.

+1