Rubber B has become well-known as a highly respected crafter of custom rubber watch bands for timepieces from some of the most respected watchmakers in the field, including such brands as Patek Philippe, IWC, and Breitling. Rubber B has a variety of straps in different colors and styles in our product portfolio that are appropriate for both business/formal wear and more casual situations as well.
2022 Patek Philippe was one of the most eagerly awaited watch brands to unveil their new collection at Watches and Wonders, the industry’s leading watch reveal event, which is usually held around the end of March or beginning of April each year.
There are two main reasons for the enthusiasm that surrounds the annual revealing of Patek’s catalog each year. The first is that Patek consistently makes some of the best watches in the world, bar none, and so that enthusiasm usually ends up being at least partially justified. The other is that, unlike some companies, Patek Philippe does not have their own corporate event outside of Watches and Wonders to display its upcoming product lines, which means that this is the only chance collectors and the horological press have to learn about these timepieces before they are released to the general public.
With all of that being said, Patek had a handful of watches at this year’s Watches and Wonders that certainly merit discussion, and we will take a closer look at those in a few moments. However, before we do, the company made waves by also announcing fairly big discontinuation of one of their most popular watches as well.
Which Popular Watch is Patek Philippe No Longer Producing?
The Calatrava 5196, which has been in production since the early 2000’s, is no longer going to be produced by the company as of this year and has been formally removed from their website. This came as a surprise to many people, as the watch is part of the Calatrava line, which remains one of the more popular lines among collectors of Patek Philippe watches, and many people genuinely did not see this announcement coming. However, it was likely done to make room for the first watch we’re going to talk about, which is the newest addition to the Calatrava line.
2022 Patek Philippe | Calatrava 5326G
As much of a surprise as that discontinuation was, equally surprising was that Patek Philippe was adding a new watch to the Calatrava line, the Calatrava 5326G. Patek Philippe is pushing this watch hard, and they have a lot of reasons to be excited about it, primarily because they are doing something that they have never done before with this particular watch.
With this timepiece, the company has, for the first time, managed to combine its patented Annual Calendar and Travel Time display systems, which are two of the company’s most famous complications. The company had to file no less than eight new patents for the technology needed to complete this watch, so this will definitely be a piece to keep an eye on, as collectors are likely going to turn it into a popular commodity in very short order.
2022 Patek Philippe | Moon Phases 7121/200G
The original moon phase complication was first introduced into wristwatches by Patek Philippe almost a century ago, in 1925. Now, the company has decided to introduce a new moon phase watch that has a decidedly nocturnal feeling to it in terms of its aesthetic. The deep blue hue used on this timepiece has a dream-like, nighttime feeling to it that is very calming and serene.
Everything about the look of this watch tells you that it’s a Patek Philippe: the carefully applied Breguet numerals, its curved sapphire crystal, and the distinct font used on the dial. The deep blue coloring of the dial, which is encrusted by a series of brilliant diamonds that have been applied using the Dentelle technique, is certainly a bit flashier than the company is known for, but they absolutely manage to pull it off.
Ref. 5374/300P Diamond Minute Repeater and Perpetual Calendar
The company manage to up the elegance factor even further here with this timepiece, which is a platinum version of a piece that had previously been released in white gold just last year. Baguette-cut diamonds circle the caseband, so for those looking for a quiet, less opulent watch, this is not the timepiece you’re looking for.
Furthermore, the minute repeater’s sounding units are particularly loud on this watch, as they have been designed to mimic the gong sound of cathedral bells.
What Were Our Final Thoughts on These Watches?
This has certainly been one of the more exciting years for the company in recent memory at Watches and Wonders, due in no small part to the combination of technical achievement and out-of-character opulence that they’ve managed to put into their watches in certain instances. In short, Patek Philippe knew what everyone was expecting from them, and because of that, they were able to subvert those expectations.
It will be very interesting to see how this year’s collection is received by the general public, but we believe that it will be greeted enthusiastically based on what we have seen so far from the storied watchmakers.
Are You in Need of a Custom Rubber Watch Band For Your Luxury Watch? Visit Rubber B Today
Every Rubber B custom rubber watch strap is made only from 100% vulcanized rubber, and all of our products are FDA and BVGG compliant as well. All of Rubber B’s watch straps are made from 100% vulcanized rubber and are crafted exclusively by experts in Switzerland.
If you would like to learn more about our complete product catalog, shipping policies, pricing, or have questions about our custom rubber watch straps, please visit the Rubber B website today for more information. One of our valued associated will be happy to answer your inquiry in a prompt manner.
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