1063
Patek Philippe
Ref. 437
Calatrava
An interesting and rare stainless steel wristwatch with pocket watch movement
- Estimate
- HK$32,000 - 64,000€3,500 - 7,100$4,100 - 8,200
HK$139,700
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- Movement 1905, Case 1947
- Reference No
- 437
- Movement No
- 122’618
- Case No
- 617’488
- Model Name
- Calatrava
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, 10’’’ lever escapement, jewelled
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Patek Philippe pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 28mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement signed, movement further signed Spaulding & Co. Chicago
- Accessories
- Accompanied by confirmation letter from Patek Philippe Salon Geneve confirming its origin. Delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives dated 1990, 2013 and 2025 confirming the timepiece was originally a pocket watch which has been transformed into a wristwatch. The date of sale 8th January 1905. The date of manufacture of the movement in 1903 and later cased in 617’488 in Patek Philippe’s workshop in July 1947.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Known affectionately as the “Boy Size” Calatrava, the Patek Philippe ref. 437 is a delightful timepiece with its charming 28mm size. Produced from 1935 to around 1953, this watch features a sleek stainless steel case, crafted by Taubert Frères, who took over from Frères Borgel and proudly stamped with their FB mark.
What truly makes this piece special is its fascinating history. The Extract of the Archives reveals that this ref. 437 houses a 10’’’ Patek Philippe pocket watch movement, originally sold on January 9, 1905. A closer look at the movement engraving tells us it was sold by Spaulding & Co. of Chicago, a prestigious retailer with a rich heritage dating back to 1888.
As the 1930s rolled in, wristwatches gained immense popularity, thanks in part to the Stern Brothers and their groundbreaking ref. 96. The introduction of the ref. 437 in 1935 likely ignited a spark of inspiration for its owner. A letter from the Patek Philippe Salon in Geneva adds to the intrigue, detailing that the stainless steel case numbered 617’488 was crafted in 1938, with the movement finally cased in July 1947. This watch is not just a timepiece; it’s a story waiting to be told!
What truly makes this piece special is its fascinating history. The Extract of the Archives reveals that this ref. 437 houses a 10’’’ Patek Philippe pocket watch movement, originally sold on January 9, 1905. A closer look at the movement engraving tells us it was sold by Spaulding & Co. of Chicago, a prestigious retailer with a rich heritage dating back to 1888.
As the 1930s rolled in, wristwatches gained immense popularity, thanks in part to the Stern Brothers and their groundbreaking ref. 96. The introduction of the ref. 437 in 1935 likely ignited a spark of inspiration for its owner. A letter from the Patek Philippe Salon in Geneva adds to the intrigue, detailing that the stainless steel case numbered 617’488 was crafted in 1938, with the movement finally cased in July 1947. This watch is not just a timepiece; it’s a story waiting to be told!
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.
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