CALATRAVA PILOT TRAVEL TIME 7234G-001 WHITE GOLD 18KT BLUE DIAL 37.5MM FULL SET YEAR 2021

PATEK PHILIPPE

CALATRAVA PILOT TRAVEL TIME

REF. 7234G-001

New Ref. 7234G-001 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time

A medium format for the white-gold model

As a medium-sized version of the Ref. 5524G launched in 2015, the Ref. 7234G Calatrava Pilot Travel

Time has a diameter of 37.5 mm to fit women’s and men’s wrists. The round Calatrava case in white

gold is sleek with a flat and slightly beveled bezel as well as a caseband that merges almost seamlessly

with the strap lugs.

The blue lacquered dial, inspired by aviator's watches, is highly legible even in the dark thanks to applied

white-gold numerals filled with a white luminous coating and broad luminous baton hands made of blued

white gold. The face is decidedly technical yet timelessly elegant.

The self-winding caliber 324 S C FUS movement consists of 294 parts and features the exceptionally

convenient Travel Time system for displaying a second time zone. All it takes is the actuation of one of

the two pushers in the left-hand case flank to move the luminous local-time hour hand clockwise (with

the lower pusher) or counterclockwise (upper pusher) in one-hour increments. During such adjustments,

the local time hand is disconnected from the movement, so the accuracy of time displayed by the minute

and seconds hands is not compromised. The skeletonized hour hand continues to indicate home time.

Both time zones have separate day/night indicators (LOCAL window at 9 o'clock for local time, HOME

window at 3 o'clock for home time) to simplify time setting on the go and to prevent unintentionally waking

up loved ones with a phone call in the middle of the night. As long as the watch owner is at home, the

two hour hands are superposed.

The two time-zone pushers are equipped with a patented safety system that prevents unintended

adjustments of the local time setting. Before they can be actuated, they must be unlocked with a quarter

turn, which is simplified by delicate fluting. Afterwards, they must be locked again with a quarter turn in

the opposite direction.

The analog date at 6 o'clock shows the date in three-day increments to improve legibility without

cluttering the scale. A useful feature for travelers is that the date is always synchronized with local time

because the time-zone pushers also increment or decrement the date if the local time hour hand passes

midnight either clockwise or counterclockwise.

The new Ref. 7234G is worn on a shiny navy blue calfskin strap secured with a clevis prong buckle in

white gold. It is reminiscent of the harnesses that allowed pilots to keep their parachutes and survival

kits readily deployable. The scope of delivery includes a second calfskin strap in vintage brown with

contrast stitching much like the belts for classic pilot overalls.

This wristwatch for ladies and gentlemen comes in addition to the Ref. 5524G with a diameter of 42 mm,

making an ideal pair. Both formats of the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time are also available in rose gold with

brown black-gradated dials (Refs. 5524R and 7234R).

Patek Philippe extends its family of pilot-style watches

With the new Ref. 7234G-001 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time, Patek Philippe rounds out its watch

family that is inspired by the manufacture’s aviator's watches from the 1930s. The very typical

and highly recognizable design was launched five years ago and has already established itself

as a modern classic. Today, the pilot-style livery comes to the fore in the Calatrava Pilot Travel

Time watches with two time zones (in white or rose gold and with two case sizes) as well as in

the Alarm Travel Time, a grand complication with a 24-hour alarm, not counting several limited

editions.

In 2015, Patek Philippe surprised aficionados by launching a watch with a highly unusual design

as regards the prominent case as well as the dial with large white numerals and luminous hands

that contrast crisply against the dark background. With its name and functional features, the

timepiece recalled the first aviator's watches. Patek Philippe also took inspiration from two

aviator's watches that had been crafted in the manufacture in 1936 and are now exhibited at the

Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. They were very special siderometer (hour-angle) watches

that allowed pilots to easily, precisely, and swiftly determine their current positions. The Ref.

5524G Calatrava Pilot Travel Time was a remarkable homage to aviation pioneers and the

grand epoch of aerial conquest to which the Genevan manufacture can take credit for many

contributions.

A watch for travelers of the modern era

By far not content simply with a new edition, Patek Philippe paid tribute to its own heritage with a highly

contemporary interpretation of the icon. Instead of black, the usual dial color of aviator's watches, a very

special and elegant blue was chosen, offering an excellent contrast for optimized legibility. The

siderometer architecture became obsolete with modern navigation aids, providing space for a function

that is much more useful for modern-day travelers: the display of a second time zone made possible by

the exclusive Travel Time mechanism. This easily operable system was patented by Patek Philippe in

1959 and 1996. It is characterized by two hour hands from the center. The local-time hour hand can be

adjusted via two pushers in one-hour steps. The date is synchronized with local time.