Patek Philipe is a renowned luxury watch brand known for some of the finest luxury watch designs, including several models in the Patek Philippe Calatrava line. As a luxury brand with a history that goes all the way back to the 1800s, Patek Philipe watches aren’t by any means cheap. Buying a Patek Calatrava can cost upwords of $50,000 depending on the model, availability, and source.

The Calatrava line of watches actually has some of the cheapest watches from the Patek Philippe brand. And by cheap, we mean watches in the $30,0000 range and above. While this is still a steep price to pay for a wristwatch, it’s relatively affordable compared to other watches in the Patek Philippe lineup, as well as several other famous luxury brands.

The pricing is also remarkable, considering that Calatrava is one of Patek Philippe’s most iconic watches and an important part of the watchmaker’s history. The line rescued the company from the brink of the financial crisis in the 1930s and has since become a yardstick for judging modern dress watches.

It’s normal if the Calatrava’s price makes your wallet shrivel up in terror. It’s affordable for a luxury watch, but it still costs a fortune. In this post, we’ll explore some of the alternative financial decisions you may make instead of purchasing a Patek Philippe Calatrava.

Buy a Cheaper Alternative

Design simplicity is one of the hallmarks of Patek Philippe watches. All watches in the collection are characterized by simple elegance without the extra bells and whistles that characterize most luxury models.

But if you can look beyond Calatrava’s beauty, history, and reputation as a status symbol, you’ll find plenty of other watch models with similar designs. If you think a Patek Philippe Calatrava will be too expensive for you, you may consider other worthy alternatives. Some notable timepieces that can easily pass off as a Calatrava without looking like a cheap knockoff include:

●   Maurice Lacroix Les Classiques LC6017-SS001-330 – a classy watch model from Maurice Lacroix. It has a smart minimalist design and is suitable for all occasions. It costs between $2,000 – $5,000

●   Montblanc Tradition 114337 – the Montblanc Tradition ref 114337 is a luxury timepiece with stunning aesthetics and incredible functionality. It comes in the $3500 price range but is still a pretty fancy watch. This watch features an attractive polished steel case in rose gold color and a crisp white dial.

●   Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin 1292520 – as the name suggests, the Master Ultra-Thin 1292520 from Jaeger-LeCoultre has a super thin profile. Like the Calatrava watches, this watch is a symbol of refined simplicity and is as minimal as luxury watches get. This Calatrava alternative retails for up to $17,000. It’s a high price tag but still relatively cheap compared to Calatrava models.

●   Baume & Mercier Classima Executives M0A10355 – Baume & Mercier is a Swiss watchmaker that has been in business even longer than the Calatrava brand name has existed. The Classima line is designed more specifically for formal occasions. So, this is the watch to get if you need a Calatrava alternative for work or business. It has a 1960s vintage feel, with a clean, minimalist look that Patek Philippe watches have become famous for. It’s a super affordable watch, costing just over $1000.

●   Zenith Elite 03.2270.6150/01.C493 – The Zenith Elite is another authentic Swiss watch that fans of the Calatrava model will love. It has a dazzling face that’s gorgeous yet simple. This watch costs about $5,000, which means you’ll still have plenty of cash to spare if it’s your choice.

You can save for as long as it takes, sacrifice, and buy the Calatrava. You may also go the easier route by buying any of these alternatives. They look just as elegant, and you’ll save significantly on your purchase due to their relatively low cost.

Buy a House

As of September 2023, the median amount needed to purchase a home in the US was a little over $400,000. In contrast, you’ll need over $100,000 to buy some of the most expensive Patek Philippe Calatrava watches. While the cost price of the watch does not exactly cover the cost of a home, it’ll make a good first deposit.

So, instead of buying a Calatrava, a possible financial alternative is paying for a home deposit. Also, remember that the actual cost of purchasing a home depends on where you live and other factors. No matter the case, the cost of buying this luxury watch will go a long way in settling at least part of your home deposit.

Buy a Car

Stats from 2022 show that you only need about $47,000 on average to purchase a new car in the United States. That’s less than the cost of some of the most expensive Calatrava watches. You can get a used car at an even lower cost.

Even the cheapest Calatrava watches (which may cost less than $20,0000) would be enough to cover a down payment for your new car, after which you can pay the rest monthly. If you need a new car, you can put your wristwatch budget to some good use by visiting a car dealership instead of buying the watch right now.

Buy a Boat

How much you’ll need to buy a boat depends on several factors, including the type of boat you want to purchase and the specific features of the boat. A rough ballpark estimate for a motorized fishing boat will be around $35,000. On the other hand, you’ll need up to $250,000 for a used yacht and about $500,000 for a brand-new one. Beyond the initial cost, plenty of other factors can influence a boat’s purchase price.

The price of some Calatrava can actually cover the cost of a small fishing boat. If you enjoy spending time on the water fishing, cruising, or simply touring with your family, then a boat would be a sensible investment. Of course, you’ll still have to consider other factors, such as fuel, maintenance fees, insurance coverage, etc., before making a final decision.

Invest in Your Future

Whether just starting your career or nearing retirement, it’s never too early or too late to start planning your future. While luxury watches have been considered a popular form of investment for years, it’s clearly not the same as a 401(k).

You can add the money for your watch to your retirement contributions. This way, the money will grow over time to set up a financially secure future for you. You can also invest, put the money in a trust, or set it aside for your kid’s college tuition. These are all solid financial plans, especially for those who believe in delayed gratification instead of buying what they want right now.

Start a Business

If you have a business idea, you can use the money for your Calatrava to get it off the ground. This is not an entirely solid idea since businesses can either fail or succeed. However, if it does succeed, it can be a great way to achieve financial independence and build something meaningful for yourself.

You just have to make sure it’s an idea you’re passionate about and have the grit needed to build a business. Also, you should cover your bases by researching the market and verifying the viability of your idea. Putting several thousand dollars into a business idea can yield significant returns in the next few years. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be able to afford a Calatrava or any other high-end luxury watch from the proceeds of your business.

Give back

Another way to put the $20k plus luxury watch fund to good use is to give back. You can either donate the money to a charity, contribute towards a cause you care about, or invest in your community. The money you give can go a long way in making a difference in the world. By donating to people in need, you’ll feel good about yourself and impact some people’s lives.

Conclusion

When making a huge financial decision, like buying a luxury timepiece, it’s good to reflect on the many different ways you could spend your money. And if you still decide to proceed with the purchase, it takes nothing away from you. Knowing what you’ll be missing out on will help you value your luxury watch even more so you can wear it with all the pride and confidence.