Strap Guide: Patek Philippe Calatrava 5127G

Strap Guide written by @wristbehindthewheel

Introduction

There are so many amazing watches in their own right today. However, when it comes to the holy grail of simple classic watches, the Patek Philippe Calatrava is the most quintessential example of a timeless and elegant wristwatch that has ever been produced. Sitting discreetly on the wrist, the Calatrava doesn’t ask for any attention, and even more so in this stealthy 18k white gold case with a beautiful ivory dial.

As a fan of menswear, I have always valued classic & timeless styles, though I may have been guilty of being overly conservative at times. Hence for this strap guide, I wanted to be a little more adventurous and have some fun with some of my strap choices while keeping it classy, or casual because ‘yes’, dress watches can and should be worn casually too!

Lastly, for some time now, I have noticed that there are absolutely no photos of the Calatrava 5127G on any other straps besides black anywhere online and I thought that is such a shame, and so I hope this strap guide will be able to serve as some pairing inspiration for any collector that is looking for a strap alternative to mix up and have fun with the watches style and vibe, not forgetting that there is a world of options for a dress watch besides the alligator black and brown.

Taupe Epsom Slim

First off, we have Delugs best-seller, and for good reason. It is probably one of the most versatile strap colours and material that looks amazing with almost any watch and outfit, you can hardly go wrong. For this guide, I have decided to pair the Taupe Epsom Slim on the 5127G with an off-white wool sweater which gives the watch a warm and cosy look. Epsom is one of the more casual materials that also looks great with some rolled-up or short-sleeved shirt just the same and if I had to pick just one strap to always have, this probably would be it.

Glossy Lagoon Blue Crocodile Signature

Next, the Glossy Lagoon Blue Crocodile is one of my bolder picks. It is a slight departure from the traditional navy blue that has just the most gorgeous tone of blue that immediately caught my attention. The glossy effect along with the crocodile scales almost resembles a waterfall or stream which is right on the money for the name given to this strap. For the outfit, I went with a light brown daytime suit pairing to bring out the contrast of the strap as a statement piece.

Bordeaux Chevre Slim

I guess a part of me has always wanted a nice red strap in my strap collection, but it wasn’t easy to find a red strap that worked for me until I saw this Bordeaux Chevre Slim. Bright reds tend to have a reputation for being loud and ostentatious. But this is not the case here. The Bordeaux Chevre strap has a warm dark red tone that stands out just a little, but not too much, and in a good way. I paired the strap with a classic navy suit as I felt that these two colour combinations complement one another very well.

Dark Grey Ostrich Signature

Now this one was really an unexpected personal favourite. The dark grey strap compliments the white gold so well and the ostrich natural patterns do a wonderful job of adding some beautiful texture to the watch. I think this combo works particularly well with a burgundy outfit or a light grey shirt, but honestly, dark grey is such a versatile colour and would work well with almost any outfit you choose!

Dark Brown Nubuck Slim

Finally, a staple for the days when you just want to wear your dress watch for a casual day out. This was one of my first straps from Delugs and I have loved pairing it with the Calatrava for casual weekends out. The slightly matte finish of the top-grain leather gives it a more rugged look, yet has a super soft texture. This is another versatile strap that goes with almost any outfit you pick, and I have chosen to pair it with an off-white merino wool sweater. However really, I mostly rock it with a short-sleeved black polo shirt or a beige linen t-shirt.