atek Philippe waited until 2015 to revisit this particular chapter in its history, with the launch of the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time. Powered by the 324 S C FUS automatic movement with a Travel Time module showing local time and home time, together with a pointer-style date, this 42mm model offered a different vision of the pilot’s watch. Technical sophistication, legibility and ease of use combined in a supremely elegant design, inspired by flight instruments.

It laid the groundwork for a new Pilot collection that continued in 2017 with the Calatrava Pilot New York three-hands model, limited to 600 pieces in steel. This was followed, a year later, by a more compact 37.5mm iteration, also time-only. Next, in 2019, came the Alarm Travel Time reference 5520P. This was the first Patek Philippe watch to integrate a 24-hour mechanical alarm, linked to local time, with the additional distinction of sounding on acoustic hammer-and-gong chimes (calibre AL 30-660 S C FUS with 574 components, protected by four patents).

Then, in 2023, Patek Philippe introduced the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Chronograph, which associates the Travel Time complication, a pointer date and a flyback chronograph — an invaluable function for the pioneers of flight who could instantly restart timing with one press of a pusher to measure consecutive flight legs.

The new Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524G-010

This year Patek Philippe presents a fresh iteration of the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time, with second time zone and local date. It reprises the aesthetic language of earlier versions, not least the 42mm white gold case of the 2015 model, with thoughtful evolutions. Notably, the deep blue dial of the original gives way to the softer tones of an ivory lacquered finish. Excellent legibility is ensured by applied numerals in blackened white gold with a luminous coating, and by sword-shaped hands in charcoal-grey white gold. Local time is read from a solid luminous handset while home time is shown by an additional skeletonised hour hand. There are day/night indications for both time zones, at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock. Secure pushers on the case flank at 8 and 10 o’clock adjust local time respectively forward or backward in one-hour increments. The date, indexed to local time and shown via a subdial at 6 o’clock, automatically adjusts in both directions.

Composed of 290 parts, the automatic 26-330 S C FUS movement incorporates a Gyromax® balance oscillating at 28,800 vibrations/hour, mounted with a Spiromax® balance spring in Silinvar®. This silicon-based material is lightweight, resistant to temperature changes and not affected by magnetic fields. Additionally, the patented geometry of the balance spring enables superior precision of -1/+2 seconds per day, as required by the Patek Philippe Seal.

Worn on a khaki green composite strap with a fabric pattern and contrasting black stitching, the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524G-010 features a sapphire display back that shows off the architecture and superlative finishing of the movement and its 21k gold rotor.