Patek Philippe unveils its first ultra-thin mechanical watch for ladies

A woman's time

Women choose watches because of their elegance, their beauty, their uniqueness. But more and more often, they feel attracted to the allure of a mechanical movement, especially if it is an exceptionally thin masterpiece signed by Patek Philippe. To satisfy this secret passion for luxury and excellence, the Geneva workshops introduce the first ultra-thin mechanical timepiece for ladies. The Ref. 4896 belongs to the Calatrava collection, acclaimed for the timeless elegance of its round cases that have expressed the inimitable Patek Philippe style for nearly three-quarters of a century.

A dial of style

While the shape and proportion of the case remain true to the 1930s Calatrava style, Patek Philippe has paid particular attention to the design of the all-new dial. First and foremost, this exclusive dial stands out with its unique night blue hue, which is accented by the brushed satin strap and 18K white-gold case and hands. A closer look reveals amazing details. The surface of the dial features a delicate guilloche pattern of concentric waves and is covered with several layers of blue lacquer, producing an incredible depth of color as the guilloche pattern shimmers through. Overall, 12 separate lacquering, firing and polishing steps are needed to achieve this velvety, enigmatic dial. Like the rays of a star, the hour markers, coated with powdered silver, enliven the dial. The faceted dauphine hands are polished and the satin-finished, rhodium-plated side of the case enhances the glow of the dial and the fire of the 72 diamonds on the bezel. With these attributes, the new Ref. 4896 possesses the radiance of a formal evening watch but retains its sleekness and discreet elegance, so a woman can wear it any time of day.

A masterpiece of a heart

The Calatrava Ref. 4896 beats to the rhythm of the manually wound Patek Philippe caliber 16-250 movement which is ultra-thin and extremely compact (2.5 mm thick with a diameter of 16.3 mm). Like all mechanical movements crafted by the workshops in Geneva, it displays the prestigious Geneva Seal, a hallmark of true excellence. A beauty to behold and a complement to the feminine wrist, the new ultra-thin Patek Philippe Calatrava is sure to become a grand classic of sensuous elegance.