Every watch you come across comes with a certain history behind it. And often, at first glance, the watch might not seem very attractive to you. Once you discover its history, the watch seems to take on a deeper charm.
This is exactly what happened to me with the CALATRAVA 6007A-001 replica watch. I am madly in love with this watchmaking house. You probably already know that. And the most fascinating collection for me is Nautilus. When I received this Calatrava replica from the manufacturers we collaborate with, I was somewhat neutral towards it. And I decided to do a google search about this model, to see what “baggage” of historical values it comes with.
Referring to the authentic model, the brand designed it to celebrate a certain milestone in its history. It is about the inauguration of a new headquarters that took place in 2019. The new “office” consists of an amazing building of 6 floors above, and 4 basement levels. To mark this event, Patek launched this model in a limited edition. Beautiful event, and a beautiful watch. The released quantity was limited to only 1000 models. Imagine how hard it is for a wealthy collector to get hold of one. And even if he has the necessary money, the prices on the grey market are about 3 times higher than the retail price.
This is one of the reasons why I love replica watches. If you find a reliable manufacturer, you can get whatever watch you like, without waiting forever.
The smoky part is that we received this imitation in our stock. And it is the first time when we have it available. Usually, we take care to supplement the Nautilus replica collection, which is in great demand. But, I am sure that the 6007A-001 model will conquer the hearts of watch lovers, especially if they know how to appreciate the “artistic part” of watches. Let’s see in more detail what benefits and shortcomings this Calatrava came to us with.
Calatrava’s dial
I start with the dial because it is the “main character” in this replica watch. The “painting” is not a simple one. And this does mean that the watch has many complications. Rather, I mean that different textures intertwine on the dial that immediately attracts attention.
First of all, the dial has a very specific shade. It is a kind of mixture of metallic, blue, a little green, and gray. Apart from the attractive color, I really like the play of patterns on the dial. Right in the center of the watch face, you will find a circle with a relatively small diameter. This circle stands out with a basket-weave pattern, which easily catches the eye. Outside this circle, the texture of the dial becomes flat and smooth, with a brushed finish.
On the dial, you can read 3 functions. This is the time, including the minutes and seconds, the date at 3 o’clock, and a down-to-the-minute time measurement. The third index is hidden in the center of the dial and is represented by a railway-like circle with triangular five-minute markers. At first, this railway-like circle seemed to me to be just a design element. But later, I discovered that it actually illustrates a certain function. This detail makes the watch special and I love the way Patek Philippe creates such details.
To indicate the 12 hours, Patek opted for Arabic hour markers. All are present, with the exception of the index at 3 o’clock, which is replaced by the date aperture. This aperture is as refined as possible and does not stand out too much through exaggerated dimensions.
The hour and minute hands have a rectangular, thin, and elongated shape. In their center, the replica manufacturers have applied a fairly consistent lume filling. As a result, the indexes become brighter, as the light fades. And I want to note that the replica watch seems to be quite versatile when you look at it in daylight. But, with the fall of darkness, it becomes more and more formal.
Differences between replica and genuine dials
If it is to compare this imitation with the original model, what I like more about the imitation is the texture of the dial’s background. I like how the manufacturers have replicated the chess pattern in the center of the dial. At the same time, the specific shade of the original model is as close as possible to that of the imitation.
Another benefit in favor of the imitation is the brushed finish of the dial. Looking at the replica watch from different angles, I like how these brushed surfaces play transitively under different lights. So, the manufacturers have done a pretty good job regarding the dial plate.
At the same time…
I discovered some differences between the 2 models. If I look carefully at the hour and minute markers, I see that their length in the imitation is a little shorter. The difference is not dramatic and not really noticeable to the naked eye. But if you look very carefully, you definitely notice it. At the same time, it seems to me that these hands are a bit thicker than in the original model. Again, I can’t say that the difference is obvious. But it still exists. In fact, I think it may be a visual confusion. Maybe the fact that the length is shorter makes me think that the width is also different, you know, a visual illusion. In any case, I am glad that this difference is not very imminent.
What can I say about the hour markers, they are certainly thinner than the authentic model. The authentic Calatrava has more expressive hour markers’ silhouettes, and they have a 3D structure. Instead, in the replica watch, these indications have a more modest silhouette and do not look as “3D” as the authentic counterpart.
The date aperture is perfectly identical. Same size, the same font for numbers, and the same positioning. Here, I have nothing to note.
Replica watch case
Personally, I’m used to gold watches when we talk about Patek Philippe. And I was very surprised to find out that the original model is made of stainless steel. In fact, this model is the only one made of stainless steel from the Calatrava series.
As for the imitation, this replica watch has a 904l stainless steel case. I couldn’t be happier than that when I found out about it. I don’t really like 316l steel in Patek Philippe imitations.
The case of the replica watch looks much thinner than it actually is. This is due to the fact that the bezel is perfectly rounded at the edges, which creates a slimming effect. In general, the watch has a 40mm case. It is not an unusual diameter for a watch, but since it is a Patek, it is strange to me to see these proportions.
As for the thickness, the imitation initially seemed thinner than it should be. I did a google search and discovered that, in fact, the original model has a 9mm thickness. The imitation is approximately 9.5mm. Anyway, the watch looks super elegant and fine thanks to these proportions.
Further on…
The bezel does not stand out with something distinguished. It is as simple as possible, showing only a perfectly round shape and curved edges, as well as an impeccable finish. Considering that the material is 904l stainless steel, the finish looks even more perfect.
The crown on the left side of the case is modest in size. I suppose a person with big thumbs would have difficulty winding it. Testing the crown by winding it back and forth, I really like how the mechanism works. I don’t feel any irregularities in the system. As for its design, the crown is identical to the one on the original model. Even the logo is reproduced on the upper area of the crown.
What impresses me the most about the watch case is the transparent caseback. We haven’t received replicas with transparent caseback in a long time and I’m glad to see one. Inside the replica watch, there is a third-generation 324S customized all-in-one movement that you can see through the transparent caseback prism. In fact, the view is a bit blocked by the Patek logo print on this caseback. Anyway, you can peek through the contours of the Swiss cross to see how the mechanism works.
I can’t tell you much about this mechanism, actually. It is the first time we receive a watch with this type of mechanism. That’s why I’m also curious to know how it will behave. In any case, the manufacturers assured me that it is the best version of a mechanism for Patek imitations. I hope they are right.
Additional Specifications
You have already realized that the model in question is not a diver. Consequently, the original version comes with a water resistance profile of 30 meters. The replica version has a resistance of up to 10 meters. Manufacturers have suggested that we keep these watches away from contact with water. That’s because they still do not have the necessary technique for water resistance testing. So, the resistance of up to 10 meters is a theory. I would have liked to give you more promising forecasts regarding this aspect. But I prefer to be honest than to win the customers’ hatred. The conclusion about the water resistance profile is that it is better to avoid contact with water and humid environments.
If the previous message seemed a bit negative to you, I am coming with a positive message. The imitation has a superb sapphire crystal. What do I mean by “superb”? The sapphire crystal is very resistant to scratches. Moreover, it comes with double anti-reflective protection. No matter how I look at the face of the replica watch, I see no traces of reflection on it. This is because the anti-reflective layer was applied to the lower and outer sides of the crystal. This technique is the most effective and quite rare, by the way.
The replica watch strap
For me personally, it was a bit strange to see that such an attractive dial is coupled with a stitched strap, instead of a leather strap. This detail makes people confused about whether the watch is formal or casual.
Everyone will probably decide for themselves, considering their personal preferences. At least, I see this watch formula as perfect for a dressy outfit. The stitched strap gives a vibe of freedom and nonchalance. At the same time, the dial highlights your seriousness and maturity as a person. So it’s a win-win outcome, no matter how you look at this watch.
If we talk about comfort, I really like the feeling this strap provides to me. Thanks to it, and the thin case of the watch, I have the feeling that I don’t even have a watch on my wrist. Also, my wrist seems to breathe because of that material strap. So it’s a different sensation from what I usually feel with a metal bracelet or even a leather strap. In conclusion, I recommend this replica watch, especially to those for whom comfort is a priority.
Final thoughts
If you are familiar with my articles on this blog, you are probably aware that I do not accept poor-quality for Patek Philippe imitations. In fact, I am a follower of quality, no matter the model or the brand of the replica watch. What I can conclude about this replica, which you can find on AAAReplica, are the following aspects:
BENEFITS:
- – a reliable technical profile. even if it is an unknown mechanism for me, I trust what our partner factory produces;
- – a very neat physical appearance. I did not discover any errors or flaws in finishing or any non-homogeneous areas;
- – an extremely comfortable strap;
- – a promising operation of the watch crown and of the whole mechanism;
- – the shades of the watch are very close to the authentic one.
DISADVANTAGES:
- – an untested water resistance profile. Theoretically, it is resistant up to 10 meters. But only THEORETICALLY;
- -small deviations in the proportions of the elements on the dial;
- – a price possibly a little higher than you expected (but justified by the quality).
This is what this imitation entails. It remains for you to decide if it meets your requirements for a watch, or wait for the next releases, with potential improvements.