Patek Philippe Pilot Travel Time 5524G (RRP £54,300)

Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524G-001. 18ct White Gold 42mm case, with a case depth of 10.78mm. Water Resistant To 30 Meters. A self winding mechanical movement, Featuring the Calibre 26-330 S C FUS movement, which is visible through the sapphire crystal case back. Blue Varnished Dial With Gold Applied Arabic Numerals With Luminescent Coating. Features include Dual Time Zone Mechanism Indicating Local And Home Time. Day and night indicators for both local and home time in apertures. Local date shown by hand. Sweep seconds hand. Placed on a vintage brown calf leather strap, white gold clevis prong buckle and additional black leather alligator strap. Box and papers dated 2018. (RRP £50,870)

The Patek Philippe 5524, part of the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time series, was introduced in 2015, marking a bold departure from the brand’s traditional design language. Drawing inspiration from Patek Philippe’s aviator watches from the 1930s, the 5524 combines vintage pilot watch aesthetics with modern haute horlogerie craftsmanship.

The watch features a dual time zone mechanism, with the local and home time displayed via skeletonized and solid hour hands. The pushers at 8 and 10 o’clock allow for quick adjustment of the local time, a nod to the ease of use required by aviators. Despite initial controversy among purists for its departure from classic Patek designs, the 5524 has since been celebrated for its unique blend of history and innovation, becoming a distinctive and sought-after model within the brand’s lineup. Its robust 42mm case, crafted in white gold, further underscores its modern yet timeless appeal.