ZF Calatrava Officer’s Caseback 5227

[GingerBubba]

Just when I thought "I'm happy with my only one patek rep..."

Guess I'm in too !

At least something the GingerBubba won't be able to wear... classless hillbilly boy !

Too bloody right, old man's snoozefest this watch.

 

[BlackJaguar]

Too bloody right, old man's snoozefest this watch.

Ugh, same here. Dang it! Just when I thought I was out, they DRAG me back in!

 

[m1994]

I'm totally sold.. will wait for the RG.. and will pick them up both at the same time..

Btw.. any one can help confirm the lug/buckle size on this beauty? I hope it stays 19/16 to utilize my CF straps I'm using on the BP version..

I send an email to puretime with the same question, I hope they have the answer.

 

[majwilliams0308]

Could you share the video?

https://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDI5...ne&sharekey=9800d244f75acf3aa0c487cfa0c452316

 

[Godfathar]

I send an email to puretime with the same question, I hope they have the answer.

From the video I just checked.. it seems the buckle is around 18mm .. I might be wrong though

 

[Godfathar]

This is from the press release of the 5227 from PP website.. I hope it will have the same dimensions.

 

[ocwatch80]

Changing the strap is a must to complete the look.

 

[majwilliams0308]

One more vid: https://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDI5MjczMjI0OA==.html?spm=a2h0k.11417342.soresults.dtitle

 

[m1994]

One more vid: https://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDI5MjczMjI0OA==.html?spm=a2h0k.11417342.soresults.dtitle

Looks amazing. I will order it now. Has anyone bought it yet?

 

[majwilliams0308]

Looks amazing. I will order it now. Has anyone bought it yet?

I’ve just got to send payment basically but I am getting it for sure

 

[molivio]

1. I don't believe black exists i gen ? 2. they forgot the marking in the inside of the flab/

 

[euro1955]

The 5227 gen does come in black.

 

[jm_brc_7057]

All of you who like me already have the Calatrava 5296. What is your motivation for buying the 5227?

I mean they are very much alike. Case shape is different off course. I just want to know how to justify having both. I am in a dilemma here. Off course I have the 5296R so if I fx bought the black dial 5227g it wouldn't be the same. But some of you like Godfathar and majwilliams0308 have got them in the same colours. So how to justify having almost identical watches? ???? love for Patek or?

 

[Godfathar]

All of you who like me already have the Calatrava 5296. What is your motivation for buying the 5227?

I mean they are very much alike. Case shape is different off course. I just want to know how to justify having both. I am in a dilemma here. Off course I have the 5296R so if I fx bought the black dial 5227g it wouldn't be the same. But some of you like Godfathar and majwilliams0308 have got them in the same colours. So how to justify having almost identical watches? ???? love for Patek or?

Great question buddy.. see for me, I seek the reps that are closer to gen.. and I even mod them to get closer to gen.. the 5227 for me is one of the first simple looking pateks I bought many years ago.. I love them and wear them very often with my suits for work or with a short and a tshirt.. they are very subtle.. the only big tell on those BP 5227, were the white dial rather than the ivory dial that the gen has. But since there was no other option, I had to settle for it.. I even tried number of modders to try and change the dial color for me to ivory, but all declined and said it is close to impossible to do that. And after wearing those 5227s , and years later, ZF came with the more high end closest to gen for the 5227, so now, I think I can invest in the new ones, and perhaps someone else would take care of the ones I had for the past 3 or 4 years.. that's why I would go for the new ones.. mine have been worn and enjoyed for years, and today, I get to fix the only flaw that was staring me in the eye everytime I looked at it. But I'll place the order for the three once ZF release the RG version as well

 

[BIONONE]

For me the bezel makes the difference. Same with an oyster perpetual and a flat datejust bezel.

The rounded shape is the perfect addition to the flow of the lugs. In my eyes the 5227 is the best calatrava - but only because i love the smoother look while the 5296 got more of a technical yet classy appearance due to the clearly defined faces and edges.

To justify buying both - well the difference of them says it all at this point. Even if they look merely the same they are still very different.
And we all know that god is in the details

 

[jm_brc_7057]

Godfathar wonderful to hear mate. You settled for the flaws, enjoyed it until they corrected the flaws. That's very interesting to hear as I sometimes drop a rep because of the prospect of them making a better rep in some time. Fx the non working pushers/gmt in 5524 and the moon/day-night indicator and deep DW in the 5396.
But I can see the argument as you can upgrade later if the rep is decent enough.

I'll consider going for the black dial one.

It will be interesting to see what strap colours you will go for!! As you are buying all three.

 

[jm_brc_7057]

BIONONE thanks mate. I think you are totally right about that. They are pretty different when taking the important details into consideration.

 

[jm_brc_7057]

Thanks mate BIONONE I think you are totally right about that. They are pretty different when taking the important details into consideration. Also the curved and rounded profile of the 5227 is in contrast to the edgy modern profile of the 5296.

 

[majwilliams0308]

All of you who like me already have the Calatrava 5296. What is your motivation for buying the 5227?

I mean they are very much alike. Case shape is different off course. I just want to know how to justify having both. I am in a dilemma here. Off course I have the 5296R so if I fx bought the black dial 5227g it wouldn't be the same. But some of you like Godfathar and majwilliams0308 have got them in the same colours. So how to justify having almost identical watches? ???? love for Patek or?

Ok great question! To mirror Godfathar 's review and perspective, as well as BIONONE 's, the 5227 is a classic yet modern dress watch, and here's why I'm going to be getting it despite the redundancies:

1. No rep has ever had a decent lacquered ivory dial (to my knowledge)
2. The ZF 5296G (non-sector dial) is very well done, but this has a few key differences
   1. Contoured scalloped lugs
   2. Ivory dial
   3. Officer's caseback
3. The upgrades over the BP version(s)
   1. thinner than both v1 (I think) and v2
   2. Dial color/depth
   3. Date font
   4. Movement finishing/balance wheel placement
   5. Thinner seconds hand
   6. Longer minute hand
   7. Crisp printing
   8. Better executed minute track
4. The added character from the contoured scalloped lugs (I seriously love it)

The engraving on the officer's caseback is present on certain gens, and missing on others, so this one is fine for not having it engraved.

To sum it all up: I sold my 5296G non-sector dial, and for the reasons in #2, I am getting it haha.

 

[jm_brc_7057]

majwilliams0308 thanks for the review mate. You are a specialist in highlighting strengths and weaknesses before the watch lands. Good to have some insight. I'll have to get one now.