Over on Patek.com, it is described as “the very essence of the round wristwatch” going on to claim “it charms each new generation of watch lovers by its timeless understated perfection.” Many overtrodden statements are used to praise it, not only those made by Patek Philippe themselves. It is among the most archetypal Swiss made replica watches ever made. It is the Calatrava.
Reference 2533 – Produced from 1952 to 1956
Working in chronological order here, our first under-the-radar top UK fake Patek Philippe Calatrava watches is the reference 2533. Most notable for not being a 565 or a 2508 and not having a case made by François Borgel (Taubert & Fils), the 2533 is the forgotten child among the early waterproof Calatrava lineup.
Let me get ahead of this, I know this is a rare watch. It’s estimated that approximately 400 examples were produced – 300 in yellow gold and 100 in rose gold. Among the best replica watches on this list, this is going to be one of the hardest to find. The reference 2532, a sibling of the 2533 with subsidiary seconds, expands that production estimate by 200. We have 600 of these to hunt.
Spec-wise, the high quality copy Patek Philippe 2533 watches’ case checks in at 34.5mm in diameter and was manufactured by Charles Dubois in Le Locle. Similar to the 565, the case design has a distinct stoutness that you can feel in your hand and on your wrist. The fuller, sweeping lug shape adds dimension, especially on an unpolished example.
As it was offered as a sportier time-only option, many examples feature luminous hands and hour markers – worth calling out as most Calatravas do not. Solid examples of the 2533 (or 2532) trade hands in the mid-$20k range. A particularly interesting 2533 with Breguet numerals sold at Phillips in 2018 for over $40k.
Reference 2525 – Produced from 1952 to 1962
Introduced alongside the 2533 during a revamp of Patek time-only offerings in 1952, the Swiss movements replica Patek Philippe reference 2525 watches is perfectly representative of the brand’s ability to deliver a design that is both on trend and eternally in style. In contrast to the simplicity of the 96, the look here is very 1950s with a stepped case, fluted lugs, and tapered hour markers.
At 36mm in diameter, the Wenger-made case is regularly described as “oversized for the period” by dealers, collectors, and auction houses alike but, hey, it’s true. We are still in the era of manually-wound Patek Philippe Calatrava super clone watches for sale so the 2525 is powered by both the Patek caliber 10-200 and, towards the end of the run, the caliber 12-400. While this Calatrava was not marketed as a “sport” option quite like the 2533, it does feature a screw-down caseback.
In my opinion, the 2525 is the epitome of a “Calatrava Plus.” Inherently, a Calatrava is a simple AAA replica watches but Patek regularly finds a way to add just enough design to make for an aesthetically interesting watch while maintaining the straightforwardness we expect. Expect to find a quality “normal” 2525 in the low to mid $20k ballpark while “special” examples like one in white gold with a Gueblin-signed dial can get up there, selling for over $100k in 2019.
Reference 5022 – Produced From 1997 To 2003
Skipping from the 1950s to the turn of the 21st century, the reference 5022 represents an entirely different era of Patek Philippe design. I like to call this “weird Patek.” In the 1990s and early 2000s, the brand introduced some beautifully strange perfect fake watches – they either speak to you or they don’t. I happen to really like models like the reference 5085 Neptune and the reference 5110 Gondolo but they’re not for everyone!
While it doesn’t go quite as far as the Neptune, the Patek Philippe 5022 replica watches wholesale is odd – check out the black dial option, it’s out there. The more standard white dial with Breguet-style numerals is the variant I have picked for this list but if you want to get nuts, be my guest.
Beyond the gorgeous dial, the case proportions of the 5022 are really remarkable. While the 33mm diameter might make some flinch, look closer. The long and slim lugs create a 38mm lug to lug distance and the strap width is perfectly 18mm. If you ever find yourself around a 5022, just make sure to try it on. It is smaller but not too small for a Calatrava by any means. Given the odd dial options, prices can vary but my pick of white dial with a yellow gold case typically sells between $10k and $15k.
