A watch that looks like this for less than $40,000
January 20, 2025 9:25 AM Subscribe
The Patek Philippe 5227G Calatrava checks all my boxes for watch design: silver or white on black, no numbers, single dial markers, nothing but time and date. It is also $40,000. Surely someone makes a watch that looks a lot like this for less?
It can be a $100 quartz job with the brand name inscribed in Mandarin, for all I care. But I’d like it to meet those design criteria.
It can be a $100 quartz job with the brand name inscribed in Mandarin, for all I care. But I’d like it to meet those design criteria.
Sekonda has one that matches the style (UK store but I assume available in the US too).
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:51 AM on January 20 [1 favorite]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:51 AM on January 20 [1 favorite]
Knot Japan can be customized to make one like that: https://en.knot-designs.com/pages/customorder/?face=at-38svbk&strap=s18-td-db&buckle=EB-16SV
Image close-up: https://i.imgur.com/Mpsxfaz.png
Edit: looks like I picked the wrong colour for the strap, but you get the idea.
posted by Laura in Canada at 9:56 AM on January 20 [2 favorites]
Image close-up: https://i.imgur.com/Mpsxfaz.png
Edit: looks like I picked the wrong colour for the strap, but you get the idea.
posted by Laura in Canada at 9:56 AM on January 20 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Swatch Mono Black
That’s essentially perfect.
posted by Lemkin at 11:23 AM on January 20
That’s essentially perfect.
posted by Lemkin at 11:23 AM on January 20
Hah - I have worn one of these for ~10 years, replacing them every few when they get too beat up. I also like to switch it up with the Twice Again for a different but similarly minimalist look. They will definitely fall apart over ~2 years of continual use - scratched case, buckle may break, etc.
posted by Mid at 11:31 AM on January 20 [2 favorites]
posted by Mid at 11:31 AM on January 20 [2 favorites]
Google "replica + Calatrava" or any brand and you'll find quartz versions of various quality. Or Aliexpress has pages and pages of watches (like this "Nomos" with an upside down M in the logo that actually looks cooler than the original IMHO). In the long run suggestions like that Swatch above, or an analog Casio or Citizen, are probably going to be more satisfying, but in any case you'll get something that's probably more accurate than a Rolex :) .
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 5:59 AM on January 21
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 5:59 AM on January 21
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MVMT Classic II
Boss Candor
Solios Solar Curve
Rado Centrix
The Tissost and the Rado seem pretty close
posted by magnetsphere at 9:51 AM on January 20 [3 favorites]