Calatrava wristwatch with dial in wood marquetry. This Calatrava wristwatch, a limited edition, celebrates the majesty and beauty of the Alpine landscape that – together with watchmaking – has made Switzerland famous. The dial, inspired by a painting by the French geologist and Alpine specialist Jacques Debelmas depicts Lac d’Emosson in the Swiss canton of Valais. Patek Philippe chose for the purpose the highly refined technique of micromarquetry in wood: tiny pieces of veneer are cut out and assembled before being fixed to a gold plate. To render all the details of mountains, rocks, snow, water and vegetation, with their play of light and shade, the marquetry-maker cut out and assembled 155 pieces of veneer and 40 inlays, chosen from 22 woods of different textures, veining and colors such as walnut, chestnut, tulip and various species of maple and burl. The white-gold case is endowed with a sapphire-crystal back protected by a hinged dust cover, affording a private view of the caliber 240 ultra-thin self-winding movement.
