Patek Philippe ref: 5227 A quick Review

Apr 23, 2018,08:55 AM
 





With all the noise from the grand complications, Aquanaut hysteria and Nautilus obsession, it is easy to forget perhaps, the most elegant and probably most important piece in the collection- the ref.5227, automatic Calatrava with date.



Ref 3445




Its origins go back to 1961, with the ref 3445. This was the first waterproof, automatic wrist watch with date from the house, and the movement was “amagnetic”. It was the only watch you would need most of the time.
Lineage of the Automatic with date:



Ref 5107p


Ref 5127g credits Sotheby’s






Of course many references soon followed. In recent times the most related stylistically to the 5227, was the ref.3998. At a mere 33mm it followed the trend of smaller and thinner. This naturally gave way to a larger 37mm ref 5107p with large bezel and crown guards. The 5107 developed into a more subtle, more elegant perhaps ref 5127, with a rounded bezel. The veritable 5127 retired to give us the new ref. 5227. In its new 39mm size. 
 









The ref.5227 – a symbiosis of classical Patek signatures The 5227, was not just a larger iteration of its illustrious forbears, on the contrary, it fused stylistic elements of the original Bauhaus coin Calatrava and the other great Patek- the Officer case. The new, idiosyncratic feature of this new Calatrava is the invisible hinged back cover, so typical of the officer-type cases.  You could be forgiven for thinking that mixing such iconic aesthetic features would not blend well, but with typical Patek technical mastery, the imperceptible hinge, does not adulterate the pure lines of the Calatrava. Et Voila you have perhaps the most charismatic case of recent times. It doesn’t end there though. 
 














The case has another wonder up its sleeve, or should I say lugs. The lugs feature gently curved flutes, sculpted meticulously from the case flank. They add yet another dimension to the case architecture.  Each flute is fastidiously polished ensuring a mirror like varnish.















Finally, the movement. The ever reliable cal. caliber 324 SC. It features the signature large four-arm Gyromax® balance with a Spiromax® balance spring made of Silinvar® beats at a frequency of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 Hz). It produces an accuracy of -3 to +2 seconds per day- far exceeding chronometer requirements.  Here are the specifications from the data sheet: 

Here are the specifications from the data sheet:
 
Calatrava Ref. 5227
Movement: Caliber 324 S C
Self-winding mechanical movement, aperture date, and sweep
seconds
Diameter: 27 mm
Height: 3.3 mm
Number of parts: 213
Number of jewels: 29
Power reserve: Min. 38 hours, max. 48 hours
Winding rotor: Central rotor in 21K gold, unidirectional winding
Balance: Gyromax®
Frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 Hz)
Balance spring: Spiromax®
Functions: 3-position crown
– Pushed in: To wind the watch
– Pulled halfway out: To correct the date
– Pulled out: To set the time
Displays: Center hours, minutes, and sweep seconds
Aperture date with an 18K gold frame at 3 o'clock
Hallmark: Patek Philippe Seal
Features
Case: Round case in 18K yellow, rose, or white gold, snap back with a
sapphire-crystal glass beneath a dust cover with an invisible hinge
Lugs with curved flutes
Water-resistant to 30 m
Case dimensions: Diameter: 39 mm
Height (crystal – lugs): 9.58 mm
Height (crystal – dust cover): 9.24 mm
Width between lugs: 19 mm
Dial: Brass, cream-colored lacquer
Polished Dauphine hands in 18K gold with two facets
12 applied trapezoidal hour markers in 18K gold
Strap: Hand-stitched alligator with square scales, shiny black (white gold),
shiny chocolate brown (yellow gold) or shiny dark brown (rose gold);
16-mm prong buckle in 18K gold to match the case





More posts: 34453998510751275227aquanautcalatravacomplicationsgrand complicationsnautilus

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Thanks for the review

 
 By: Boris : April 23rd, 2018-09:19
Interestingly, I find that the date works much better on this model than on the 5296. Perhaps my favorite simple watch by Patek. The rose gold version is particularly nice.

Wonderful review

 
 By: vitalsigns : April 23rd, 2018-09:38
Patek really upped its game with the 5227, a worthy successor to the 5127. Modern size and styling, without going overboard or staying too stodgy. I do wish Patek would release a no-date, center seconds version (as I wished with the 5127)...it would be te... 

A dream: platinum case and grey or navy blue dial.

 
 By: dr.kol : April 23rd, 2018-10:19
Thanks for the review Imran. Best, Kari

Yes, please

 
 By: Park : April 23rd, 2018-13:10
I second this motion. Park

thanks for sharing...

 
 By: mahesh : April 23rd, 2018-11:44
interesting read ! Best, mahesh.,

5227R

 
 By: Peter : April 23rd, 2018-12:27
thanks for the review, excellent read. once in a while i think i should flip the watch but when i look at it again, it always grows on me.... ...  

Great, always appreciate these posts!

 
 By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : April 23rd, 2018-13:52
How does this compare to the very similar 5153? Also, people tend to poo-poo the calatravas for their small movements and the sense that they are not as desirable as other Pateks. What do you think?

Thanks for a nice review, which is not that "quick" btw 😉 Beautiful pictures!

 
 By: 1WatchMan : April 23rd, 2018-14:30
The 5227 is a great watch with an amazing case, but IMO its price point is a bit high to fully succeed. It could even replace the 5296 in the future, but the price difference should be smaller. The 5153 has a completely different look, so even though they... 

Thanks Imran This is not my cup of tea but I can see why it appeals to people

 
 By: watch-guy.com : April 23rd, 2018-14:40
BTW Can you confirm that the 27-460 movement is amaganetic? I did not know that The 3445 is more to my taste Julian

A quick but deep read

 
 By: MTF : April 23rd, 2018-18:36
miranda, Thanks for the write up of the 'forgotten one' of Patek Philippe's modern families. I admit that I'd not noticed the fluted details on the lugs before. Regards, MTF

Why would it be the "forgotten one"??

 
 By: ingo5711 : April 24th, 2018-07:18
Calas are the centre of PP's model range.

I am quoting your words directly....

 
 By: MTF : April 24th, 2018-08:46
miranda, I relied on your expert report for the assertion that this model family is somewhat "forgotten". You wrote: "With all the noise from the grand complications, Aquanaut hysteria and Nautilus obsession, it is easy to forget perhaps......." I usually... 

Thanks for the detail review.

 
 By: mj23 : April 23rd, 2018-18:59
I am torn between the cream dial and the black dial.

Yes

 
 By: Mikesr  : April 23rd, 2018-19:32
Agree strongly. An absolutely great classic dress watch

Lovely review, Imran

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : April 24th, 2018-11:07
I tried on the WG in Geneva.....its a lovely watch to wear

I love the PP 5227...

 
 By: Dave G : April 25th, 2018-05:21
I have one in WG and one in RG. The RG version to me is more special than my WG version w/cream dial, but the relatively newer black dial/WG piece looks great as well. ...  

Very understated & elegant....

 
 By: Mally : April 26th, 2018-01:19
& thank you for sharing. Cordially Mally