49Σ︎
Patek Philippe
Ref. 570
Calatrava
An extremely well-preserved and highly attractive white gold wristwatch with center seconds and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
• Exceptional factory original condition
• Rare white gold example with center seconds
Patek Philippe’s Calatrava wristwatch has stood as a monument to design excellence and remained in their collection since the reference 96 was first released in 1932. The brand chose to design a mainstream model, which would have a broad appeal to the general public and offered this iconic reference named for the cross symbol used by Calatrava Knights in the 12th century, and registered by Patek Philippe as its logo in 1887.
The first Calatrava models were 30.5mm diameter, time-only wristwatches, and set the standard for all gentlemen’s dress watches that followed. The design was rooted in the Bauhaus principle of form follows function. Within a few short years, the model was a success, and the Stern brothers chose to expand the collection in 1938, offering the then oversized reference 570 with a 35.5mm diameter.
Large, bold, and classic, the 570 Calatrava was such a successful design, it remained in production until 1972. The flat, broad bezel and 20mm wide lug width created a statement timepiece revered by collectors to the present day. Over its 33 year production run, it was offered in all precious metals and stainless steel, along with both center seconds and subsidiary seconds calibers.
The Antoine Gerlach (key number 4) case is exceptionally well-preserved, with the original factory finish still present along with crisp hallmarks. Showing hardly any signs of wear and most certainly unpolished, the dial is equally well-preserved and unblemished. Dating to 1965, this wristwatch is a remarkable, refined statement timepiece sure to appeal to all collectors.
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.