One of the best things about Baselworld is the rush of receiving the press releases and then eventually getting to see the replica watches in the metal. Press images often don't do a watch justice and the 5212A Calatrava Weekly Calendar is a great example. It is known to all that steel watches are very popular right now, whether it's the 5711, no-date Sub, or Pepsi GMT, people prefer the fake steel watches. Therefore, we are going to take a better look at this model in steel, which stands for a completely new complication in a new case with a completely new dial.
Jack covered the specs of the 5212A pretty well here, but to reiterate, this fake watch is a weekly calendar watch. Basically, this is a simple calendar movement that accounts for the day, month, and week according to the ISA 8610 standard. This says that the first official week of the year starts on the Monday of the week of January 4. From there, the date is indicated in the date window at three o'clock, the day is indicated by the shorthand with a flat red end, and what's more, the week and month are indicated by a similar but longer hand around the outer edge of the dial. It is reminiscent of the traditional triple calendars of the past, but with a little different focus.
The movement is not totally new but is rather based on the classic caliber 324. It does, however, have some important technological advancements including improvements to the fourth wheel that drives the center seconds and the "kick-start" mechanism that helps push the center seconds forward after pulling out the crown. This is a seemingly minor adjustment that makes a difference in accuracy and the nuisances of a lagging second's hand. It also just goes to show that Patek still takes watchmaking seriously even at the most minute level - but we already understood that.
The case measures 40mm in diameter and is 10.79mm thick, but what is really getting people talking is the fact that it's steel. The replica Patek hasn't made a steel Calatrava since the limited-edition Pilot's Calatrava 5522A in 2017 and then before that in the 1970s with the references 96 and 570. This case is also special due to the two-step lugs which further throwback to the bygone era of vintage steel fake watches.
However, as for me, the most interesting part of this cheap replica watch is the unusual typography which looks to be handwritten, since it was actually handwritten. It is greatly unusual to use such a whimsical text for such a traditional company. The original plan for the dial was a more formalized font but Thierry Stern was encouraged by the way it looked in free-form so they went with it. I suppose it further solidifies this fake watch as a vintage throwback and makes the watch more youthful and interesting.
This replica watch fits very comfortably and cozy on the wrist. The case size of 40mm seems not too big and feels good overall. The calfskin strap, albeit a small detail, makes a big difference in comparison to the crocodile straps that Patek replicas usually come on. But ultimately, I find the complete lack of necessity the most charming thing about this watch.