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| Movement | In-house swiss automatic | In-house automatic | Swiss automatic | Automatic |
| Case Size | 39mm | 40mm | 39.5mm | 40mm |
| Lug to Lug | 46.9mm | 47.5mm | 43.5mm | 45mm |
| Band | Leather strap | Leather strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Stainless steel bracelet, leather strap |
| Water Resistance | 30m | 50m | 50m | 30m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Jomashop
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Buy Now at eBay
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Buy Now at Amazon |
Buy Now at Rocos
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Patek Philippe Calatrava
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| Movement | In-house swiss automatic |
| Case Size | 39mm |
| Lug to Lug | 46.9mm |
| Band | Leather strap |
| Water Resistance | 30m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Jomashop
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Seiko SARB065
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| Movement | In-house automatic |
| Case Size | 40mm |
| Lug to Lug | 47.5mm |
| Band | Leather strap |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at eBay
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Raymond Weil Maestro
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| Movement | Swiss automatic |
| Case Size | 39.5mm |
| Lug to Lug | 43.5mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It | Buy Now at Amazon |
Rocos R0140
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| Movement | Automatic |
| Case Size | 40mm |
| Lug to Lug | 45mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet, leather strap |
| Water Resistance | 30m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Rocos
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Truly, the Calatrava is a defining model for Patek.
It’s named after the Calatrava cross, a symbol for an order of knights in the 1100s. You might recognize this cross as the Patek Philippe logo.
It would be like if Rolex made a model called “The Crown.”
What do you get when you combine this self-aware de facto flagship status with the fact that Calatrava’s Bauhaus-inspired classicality goes with any personal style?
An ageless watch that’s been constantly popular since its 1932 debut—which explains its sky-high prices and miles-long waitlists.
Save a few hours of your life by checking out our six best Patek Philippe Calatrava homages instead.
How Did I Come Up With My List?
Pateks are an auction house staple, even more than Rolex. So, as a watch auction professional with several years of experience handling Calatravas, I consulted colleagues, watch experts, collectors, and several reviews and forums.
With hours of research, I rounded up these six choices.
6 Best Patek Philippe Calatrava Homages
Image Source: EBay
Now an official collector’s item, the Seiko SARB065 was originally designed as one of three cocktail-inspired timepieces—it was, and is, the most popular one.
Like the Calatrava, it’s a clean and elegant dress watch with dauphine hands and a simple round silhouette.
Its guilloche sunburst dial is an immediately recognizable quality that’s beloved by the watch community, and gives truly unique, organized lightplay from every angle. With its outstanding finishing, the applications are impeccably polished, while the dial itself complements the shine of the bezel.
Since this is Seiko, the SARB065 runs on an in-house movement, the 6R15. The 23-jewel automatic is a lot like Seiko’s “upgrade caliber”, the 4R35, a hacking descendent of the heritage 7S26. The main difference is that the 6R15 is made with SPRON 510, a non-magnetic alloy with high levels of mechanical strength, elasticity, and heat resistance.
What I Like
- While this watch uses the Calatrava as a template, thoughtful differences like its iconic high-shine guilloche dial has made it highly desired by watch collectors in its own right.
- There’s high level finishing throughout, from the excellent luster on its dial to the perfectly aligned applications.
- Seiko’s 6R15 automatic movement uses a special alloy that ups its strength, elasticity, and heat resistance, ensuring it lasts long and won’t need a lot of servicing.
What I Don’t Like
- This 2010 model is discontinued and comes in a wide range of prices on the secondary market. I’ve seen it sold at $500, which is reasonable, all the way up to over a grand. This typically depends on how much are out there at the moment. If you’re only finding high prices at a given time, just wait a year or go for one of the models that were spawned from the original SARBs, like the SRPB43 or the SRPB431J.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
This Seiko is a go-to Calatrava homage for forum-goers, as well as a popular (and popularly reviewed) watch on the internet.
Reviewers love the clean but opulent look, the excellent finishing, and the fact that with owning a Seiko watch, comes being part of a large online community that you can go to for questions and support.
A classic complaint about higher mid-range Seikos, some mention that a watch at this level should have a sapphire crystal instead of the Seiko Hardlex.
My insight on this is that there are two sides. If you want a sapphire, you can always replace the Hardlex. On the other hand, now that this model is such a collector’s item, there’s something cool about keeping a Seiko-specific crystal in maintaining the watch’s purity of heritage.
The Verdict
Not only does the Seiko SARB065 give Calatrava vibes, but it goes its own, well-loved and well-respected direction. Seiko has a knack for this, as it’s also exactly what happened to their SKX Submariner homages.
It has a recognizable, high-shine dial, topnotch finishing throughout, and runs on a reliable in-house automatic. With this watch, you come for the Calatrava references, but stay for the unique features and distinct collectibility.
Not only does the Seiko SARB065 give Calatrava vibes, but it goes its own, well-loved and well-respected direction. Seiko has a knack for this, as it’s also exactly what happened to their SKX Submariner homages.
Raymond Weil’s prime directive is to find a place in the market in between good value and Swiss precision timekeeping. And while the inspiration for several of their key models can be traced back to models from the luxury Swiss hard hitters, Raymond Weil’s focus on musical aesthetics always provides their watches with brand-specific distinctness.
The Maestro, whose elegance and versatility are rooted in similar design cues to the Calatrava, has an arguably more stately and aristocratic look.
There’s an exquisite texturing in the center dial that adds subtle dimensionality, while the dots indicating seconds on the outer dial add the brand’s trademark musicality, giving the dial an almost sheet music aesthetic,
The entire watch flaunts premium qualities, from its sapphire crystal and its Swiss-made automatic movement, to its calf leather strap with alligator embossing.
What I Like
- This watch is a slightly more ornate take on the standard Calatrava without compromising its understated elegance and range.
- Despite its complex Swiss movement, the case stands at 9mm, making it a comfortable wear for all wrist sizes.
- The movement is a complex and attractively finished automatic that you can watch in action thanks to its exhibition caseback.
What I Don’t Like
- A common problem with well-polished cases, this beautifully shiny watch easily attracts fingerprints.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
It’s a wonder how often the Maestro gets brought up in watch forum posts focused on Calatrava homages. Even those looking for “cheap, Chinese homages” will undoubtedly get one or two responses imploring them to just save up for a Maestro.
There are a few complaints about how the 50-meter water resistance is pretty meager, though I disagree. You can still take it swimming, which is more than good enough for a dress watch, and the Maestro is still 20 meters more water resistant than an actual Calatrava.
The Verdict
Though it often has an over-$1000 price tag (sometimes less on Amazon), the Raymond Weil Maestro is an objectively high-quality watch.
And though the Calatrava has an obviously better build quality, Raymond Weil offers better value-for-price—if you aren’t counting brand recognition. It’s a Swiss Made timepiece with high-end looks and function that will last you a literal lifetime.
Though it often has an over-$1000 price tag (sometimes less on Amazon), the Raymond Weil Maestro is an objectively high-quality watch.
And though the Calatrava has an obviously better build quality, Raymond Weil offers better value-for-price—if you aren’t counting brand recognition. It’s a Swiss Made timepiece with high-end looks and function that will last you a literal lifetime.
Image Source: Rocos
The Rocos R0140 is like a Calatrava that’s been infused with some Scandinavian minimalism. A lot of people like to recommend Nomos watches as affordable substitutes to the Calatrava, which I don’t agree with. Yes, there’s the Bauhaus connection and they’re both minimal and versatile.
Still, going too far into Scandinavian minimalism takes away from the Calatrava’s grandness, albeit an understated grandness. The R0140 doesn’t do that.
Most of the markers are printed sticks instead of daggers, but the cardinal indices are still high-polish applications, tonal with the case and dauphine hands.
Moreover, Rocos adds a subdial, similar to some Calatrava references, ensuring that the clean-lined approach combines decorativeness with practicality.
What I Like
- The addition of the subdial, as well as the subtly textured dial face, adds an upscale and still-subtle dimensionality.
- This watch comes in a silver or gold-toned case for a level of customization.
- Rocos provides a two-year warranty, which is pretty generous for a watch in the budget category.
What I Don’t Like
- The bracelets are pretty mediocre. The stainless steel bracelet is cool-looking, but feels cheap and rattly, while the stiff leather straps are likely not leather at all.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
This watch satisfies a range of entry-level watch collector priorities. It has an aesthetic-forward approach, essentially a dress watch that can be worn with most outfits. Yet, it isn’t aesthetics-only, running on an automatic movement that can be viewed through the exhibition window.
The Verdict
Easily found below $200, the Rocos R0140 is a bang-for-buck Calatrava homage, especially with its two-year warranty. It’s a well-executed subdial-clad design that’s slightly simplified, without taking away from its swankier qualities.
Easily found below $200, the Rocos R0140 is a bang-for-buck Calatrava homage, especially with its two-year warranty. It’s a well-executed subdial-clad design that’s slightly simplified, without taking away from its swankier qualities.
Image Source: AliExpress
I rave about homages that go in their own direction and become collector’s items in their own right. The Lobinni Interlaken isn’t one of those, which is also a good thing for different reasons.
Its on-the-nose design includes all-applied indices, dauphine hands, and the Calatrava’s signature short crown.
The Interlaken is hardly a cheap knock-off though, for its price. The polishing is commendable, offering lovely shine on the bezel’s swooping surface and on the lugs.
Also, the thin case, 8.8mm to be exact, is sleek and comfortable. This is even more impressive when you realize it runs on a robust Seagull movement.
What I Like
- The thin case gives it a traditional and classy look, as well as a comfortable wear.
- The exhibition caseback, showcasing a strong and athletically layered Seagull movement, will satisfy your horological curiosities.
- Its design is close-to-template, complemented by fine applications and finishing.
What I Don’t Like
- Instead of the standard 20mm, the case is equipped with 19mm lugs. This makes strap changes difficult, and makes the edges of leather straps rub against the top and bottom of the case.
- Related to the top complaint, the straps are cheap and plasticky, and you will want to replace them.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers and forum-goers love the thin height of this watch. Many many praise the case for fitting true-to-size and for its ability to slip into your sleeve as a traditional dress watch is meant to.
The Verdict
The Lobinni Interlaken is a go-to homage because of just how closely it resembles the Calatrava. And while it scratches the Patek itch visually and wear-wise, it’s an overall good watch too, well-finished and automatically powered.
The Lobinni Interlaken is a go-to homage because of just how closely it resembles the Calatrava. And while it scratches the Patek itch visually and wear-wise, it’s an overall good watch too, well-finished and automatically powered.
Image Source: AliExpress
Like the Calatrava, the L.Eternite is a sparse and adaptable timepiece, with artisan-level attention to detail. There’s not a lot happening on the face, but everything that’s there is clearly labored over.
Every single hour marker is an applied baton, even the one next to the date window. Like the Calatrava-esque hands, they’re mirror-polished, allowing them to sparkle against the stark white dial. Even the second hand has an imperial-looking counterweight sword to match the other hands.
The railroad style outerdial is a nice touch that grounds the entire design, allowing you to wear this watch outside of highly formal situations.
What I Like
- The simple but well-detailed design is both lavish-looking yet effectively trend-resistant.
- It runs on a 28-jewel Miyota 9015 movement, which is high-beat and reliable.
- This watch is clearly premium-mad
What I Don’t Like
- Shipping from China can take well over a month, if you’re lucky.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
This popular homage gets a lot of props for its stunning finishing, with the case and indices getting extra love for how well they complement the dial.
Some think the date window is cheap looking. It definitely would have looked more finished and fortified with some sort of frame, but that may also take away from the minimalist look.
The Verdict
With its Calatrava inspiration and its well-executed details, the L.Eternite is similarly dressy yet easy to pair with most outfits. On top of that, it runs on a high-beat Miyota movement, ensuring a long life.
With its Calatrava inspiration and its well-executed details, the L.Eternite is similarly dressy yet easy to pair with most outfits. On top of that, it runs on a high-beat Miyota movement, ensuring a long life.
Image Source: Good Stuffs
A well-kept secret in the homage world, the Shanghai Diamond 8180 is one of very few watch models slowly leveling up the game in Chinese watchmaking. Sure, the industry is still in that phase in which it’s mostly taking inspiration from Swiss heritage brands, as the 8180 does from the Calatrava.
However, the level at which this watch is made is wildly impressive. It was definitely up for top pick, if not for the fact that Seiko has definitely earned its status as a tried-and-true.
Not only is it perfectly built and finished on the outside, but the automatic movement displayed on the caseback flaunts a tonal gold hue and sharp edges throughout.
What I Like
- The fact so few homage fans know about this model gives it an in-the-know cool factor.
- The dial is beautifully designed and executed, with an off-center subdial that gives it a distinct look.
- It runs on a high-beat automatic movement with a vibration of 28,800vph. This is the same vph as high-end Swiss watch movements.
What I Don’t Like
- The onion crown is elegant-looking, but difficult to operate until you’ve broken it in with a few winds.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
While the watch is objectively well-made, there’s some controversy among reviewers about the brand’s heritage. The (poorly-written) description alleges that Shanghai Diamond is China’s “true” heritage watchmaker and that Seagull’s claims to the rank are all lies.
If heritage isn’t important to you, this is mostly inconsequential. After all, getting all the information you want from the Chinese watch industry is difficult.
The Verdict
The Shanghai Diamond 8180 is a classic and premium timepiece that’s built to last. One of its prevailingly attractive qualities, in addition to its unique center-left The Shanghai Diamond 8180 is a classic and premium timepiece that’s built to last. One of its prevailingly attractive qualities, in addition to its unique center-left
The Shanghai Diamond 8180 is a classic and premium timepiece that’s built to last. One of its prevailingly attractive qualities, in addition to its unique center-left subdial, is that you’d be one of very few people sporting this timepiece if you opted for one.
3 Quality Patek Philippe Calatrava Alternatives
Homages are affordable Calatrava look-alikes, while alternatives are often equal in price and quality. They don’t always look like the Calatrava, but are in the same collecting categories or subgenres.
If you’re seriously considering a Calatrava or an homage, it’s important to also look at alternatives, and see what the competition is doing differently.
Image Source: Jaeger LeCoultre
Both the Jaeger LeCoultre Master and the Calatrava sport the “classic round” look, though admittedly, the Calatrava is more immediately associated with it. The Ultra Thin version, however, turns up the wearability factor with an automatic caliber with a 1.38mm thickness. This, however, doesn’t take away from its accuracy and sizable 70-hour power reserve.
The JLC Master is a touch more romantic than the Calatrava, with its exquisite moonphase subdial. It works perfectly with a vivid sunray blue, accented with applied indices which are rhodium plated for a longer life and extra shine.
Image Source: Grand Seiko
Like the Calatrava, the SBGK007G from Grand Seiko’s Elegance line takes a less-is-more approach. And like the Calatrava, it manages this without taking away from its unique personality.
The power reserve and small seconds add functional and decorative value, for one thing. Second, this watch boasts Grand Seiko’s famous mirror-finish polishing and overall handcrafted buil
Image Source: Rolex
Though both their respective brand’s round dress watches, the Rolex Cellini is far more ornate than the Calatrava. It’s still perfectly balanced though, with the multiple outerdial tracks making enough room for legibility and the center’s negative space. Still, the moonphase and the mini-pie-pan bezel offer way more surfaces for eye-catching glistens.
Since this is Rolex, this watch runs on a COSC-certified automatic, leveled up to the brand’s in-house “Superlative” standards, meaning the Cellini has a slight edge spec-wise. The case is made of Rolex’s Everose, which is 18-karat pink gold, with a touch of platinum to ensure long-lasting vividness and extra durability.
Which Patek Philippe Calatrava Homage Should You Get?
Thanks to its status as a watch icon in its own right, the Seiko SARB065 is our top pick. Similarly, the Raymond Weil Maestro is also an independently esteemed Calatrava homage, but with a Swiss pedigree that Seiko can’t lay claim to.
Not only does the Seiko SARB065 give Calatrava vibes, but it goes its own, well-loved and well-respected direction. Seiko has a knack for this, as it’s also exactly what happened to their SKX Submariner homages.
Just looking for the look of the Calatrava? The Interlaken is super accurate, while also featuring fine functions. Meanwhile, the Rocos is a bang-for-buck homage that leans into the minimalism aesthetic.
Easily found below $200, the Rocos R0140 is a bang-for-buck Calatrava homage, especially with its two-year warranty. It’s a well-executed subdial-clad design that’s slightly simplified, without taking away from its swankier qualities.
Both the Shanghai Diamond and the L.Eternite are built to high standards, proving that you can find hidden gems in the Chinese Calatrava homage market.
Once you’ve decided what you love most about the Calatrava, you can choose which homage best accommodates that and your budget.
FAQs
How much does a new Calatrava cost?
New Calatravas can range from $25,000 to $50,000.
Does Patek Philippe have a waiting list?
Almost always. Patek waiting lists can be as short as a year or two and as long as up to ten years.
Ever since I received an Omega Seamaster for my 16th birthday, I fell in love with watches. Professionally, this led me to work for New York and LA’s leading auction houses. Personally, it led to a life as a collector, my Seamaster and my Explorer II being my favorite timepieces.
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