Resembling the Calatrava's original reference, the ref. 96, with a slight facelift, the Calatrava ref. 5196 builds upon the Calatrava collection's history as one of Patek Philippe's best-known and best-looking dress watches. Merging Patek's esteemed design language with another iconic watchmaker, Breguet, the ref. 5196 blends the Calatrava's clean aesthetic and design with Breguet's eponymous Arabic numeral font for its applied markers to create an utterly stunning silver dial. Powered by the automatic micro-rotor movement cal. 215 PS which debuted in 1974, the ref. 5196 features an eccentric seconds subdial at 6 o’clock and a large 37mm platinum case that have combined to become emblematic of the ref. 5196's design. Launched in 2004 and discontinued in 2022, this long-lived reference blurred the lines between two of watchmaking's most iconic brands as Patek Philippe created a genuinely fashionable timepiece that still exists at the forefront of watchmaking fashion to this day.

Watch is in overall very good condition. The platinum case shows scratches and small nicks, particularly on the polished surfaces and case back. The hallmarks on the backs of the lugs remain crisp, and the Calatrava cross winding crown is well defined. The dial has some light spotting in places. It is fitted with a brown leather strap and a platinum Patek Philippe pin buckle in excellent condition, and also comes with an additional white gold deployant clasp. Accompanied by the Certificate of Origin (bottom third of the certificate was cut off to hide name and info off purchaser and dealer), booklets, and associated paperwork.

A marriage of modernity and historical design inspiration, the ref. 5196P is a beautiful example of a contemporary dress watch that leans on heritage to inform its style and design.