Ultimate dress watch: Patek Calatrava or VC Patrimony?

[rolexenjoyer]

Looking for a dress watch to wear for formal occasions and events. I already own the Patek Aquanaut as my daily wear.

Struggling to decide between the two. Help me decide and pick one, but dont forget to explain why!

I've attatched the images below, with the 1st one being the Patek Calatrava (5227R-001) and the 2nd being the VC Patrimony (85180/000R-9248)

[GolfJunkie]

I’d take the PP. i like date placement and framed date window. I also prefer the bezel and the way the lugs “flow” into the case on the PP. The last thing, without ever handling either of these watches, is the hands and hour indices. I feel the larger, faceted hands and markers on the PP may make it easier to tell the time in low light conditions.

Again, I’ve never seen either watch i person but based on these pics alone the PP wins out in every way for me.

[ts3]

I prefer the looks of the VC over the 5227 by a small margin. However, I'd never get a 40mm basic dress watch that is all dial as it will wear far too large for my liking. Referring to your other thread I'd rather get a 5296 than either of the above.

IMO the VC to get is the manual Traditionelle, 82172/000R-9382 in RG. I'd pick that one over a comparable 5196 (or 6119) by a mile. They also make an automatic Traditionelle with date which I find less attractive.

[RaZCaL]

I agree with the above. I would get the VC manual-winding Traditionnelle. Just purchased one this year and love it! The finishing of the movement and quality is incredible!




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[londonpilgrim]

Calatrava, but the sensible answer is to have both

[WatchTimes]

Of those two Id go PP.

[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by WatchTimes

Of those two Id go PP.

I agree....but like others, feel there are some VCs that beat both. Also, for me personally, this is not a spot a would spend for a PP. The JLC options are cheaper and just as good IMHO.

[kunlun]

Originally Posted by RaZCaL

I agree with the above. I would get the VC manual-winding Traditionnelle. Just purchased one this year and love it! The finishing of the movement and quality is incredible!




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This is the best choice.

[pdnb]

Originally Posted by ts3

I prefer the looks of the VC over the 5227 by a small margin. However, I'd never get a 40mm basic dress watch that is all dial as it will wear far too large for my liking. Referring to your other thread I'd rather get a 5296 than either of the above.

IMO the VC to get is the manual Traditionelle, 82172/000R-9382 in RG. I'd pick that one over a comparable 5196 (or 6119) by a mile. They also make an automatic Traditionelle with date which I find less attractive.

+1…manual traditionelle is where it’s at in this comparison


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[Calatrava r]

Of the two, I prefer the VC.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by RaZCaL

I agree with the above. I would get the VC manual-winding Traditionnelle. Just purchased one this year and love it! The finishing of the movement and quality is incredible!




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No doubt the correct answer.

[charger_vital]

I like the softer lines and curved lugs of the Patek.


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[Rogerusp]

Neither. VC Traditionelle wins it for me

[AEC]

I love that Patek, and I can't get on board with the teeny little crown on the VC.

[APhound]

Would you consider Lange?
This is a much more interesting watch to me.

Between your two choices only, I’d go with the Patek

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[Easy E]

Originally Posted by RaZCaL

I agree with the above. I would get the VC manual-winding Traditionnelle. Just purchased one this year and love it! The finishing of the movement and quality is incredible!




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Agreed. This is answer

[EEpro]

Unsolicited Entry

[Justindo]

Originally Posted by rolexenjoyer

Looking for a dress watch to wear for formal occasions and events. I already own the Patek Aquanaut as my daily wear.

Struggling to decide between the two. Help me decide and pick one, but dont forget to explain why!

I've attatched the images below, with the 1st one being the Patek Calatrava (5227R-001) and the 2nd being the VC Patrimony (85180/000R-9248)

If it has to be between those two, I'd go with the Patek, as I think the smaller size, the hands, and the date window border works better overall. However, while these are technically dress watches, I would argue that they are more "office watches" due to the date and the sweep seconds. A true formal dress is going to lack a date and have a sub seconds, as both are more traditional.

Originally Posted by RaZCaL

I agree with the above. I would get the VC manual-winding Traditionnelle. Just purchased one this year and love it! The finishing of the movement and quality is incredible!




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As several others on here have said, I think this or the Patek 6119R are the better choices for a special occasions dress watch. I much prefer manual wind and no date, which is easier to set, for a special occasions dress watch. The 82172 is just as nice as the 6119R and it's considerably less expensive, although I wouldn't fault one for getting a 6119R. You also might consider Lange, particularly the 1815.

Originally Posted by gretch6364

I agree....but like others, feel there are some VCs that beat both. Also, for me personally, this is not a spot a would spend for a PP. The JLC options are cheaper and just as good IMHO.

If one were willing to go for steel or to go used, I'd agree with the JLC suggestion, but given that the poster seems to be interested in a new gold dress watch, JLC doesn't make sense for the price, as their comparable model (the Master Ultra Thin Small Seconds) is only $3,100 less than the VC, and the VC is a vastly superior watch for a small premium. Also, neither brand seems to be discounted any longer as Richemont moves to its all boutique master plan.

Originally Posted by EEpro

Unsolicited Entry

Great suggestion if one were interested in a dress chronograph!

[danwang0520]

PP Calatrava > VC Traditionelle > ALS Lange 1 > VC Patrimony

[kastor77]

From these options I would go for for the PP.


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[phdezra]

Patek. Simplicity in elegance.


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[rapide66]

I'd go for PP based on just these two options as I'm not a fan of the markers on that particular VC.

Aside from those two, I'd probably go for the VC manual-winding small seconds Traditionnelle.

[yoast]

This

Originally Posted by RaZCaL

I agree with the above. I would get the VC manual-winding Traditionnelle. Just purchased one this year and love it! The finishing of the movement and quality is incredible!




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[sw88]

I’d go for PP 6119R unless the date is a must

[sinkholeninja]

For me it would be a 5196G…anyway, PP gets my vote.

[Bug04]

VC, preferably Traditionnelle

[jjnd08]

Out of these two, I'd pick the Patek. However, the ultimate dress watch would come from Lange.

I also have an affinity for an interesting shaped dress watch that you could get from Cartier.

[rolexenjoyer]

The 5196 is very plain. Not forking my money on that
The 6119's hobnail isn't classy to me
Regarding the Traditionnelle, I'm just not a fan of that dial's railtrack
The ALS looks too chunky, even the thin ones like the saxonias have weird bezels


Now regarding the 5227 vs the Patrimony, I think I currently lean more towards the 5227. The smaller dial is better for my 6.5" wrists, and I think i could wear it to the office more often than not. And like someone else here said, the softer lines and curved lugs are beautiful.

[Jmaster]

Have you tried the 36mm Patrimony? I also have a 6.5” wrist and the standard VC Patrimony is way too big while the 36mm fits much better. I saw this at one of the boutiques and it is surprisingly nice, very much fits like a tradition dress watch. It will be smaller than the PP, so it really depends on what you’re looking for. Maybe worthwhile to investigate if you haven’t decided.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by rolexenjoyer

...

Now regarding the 5227 vs the Patrimony, I think I currently lean more towards the 5227. The smaller dial is better for my 6.5" wrists, and I think i could wear it to the office more often than not. And like someone else here said, the softer lines and curved lugs are beautiful.

Have you tried on the 5227? It did look large on my 6.6" inch flat (and wide) wrists. Certainly doable but it will not exactly fly under the radar.

Let us know what you decide...