Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1941 Reference No: 530 Movement No: 921'070 Case No: 507'307 Model Name: Calatrava Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'''-120, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel deployant buckle, stamped Patek Philippe Genève Dimensions: 36.5mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1941 with two-tone silvered dial, and its subsequent sale on November 22, 1941 Literature: John Goldberger, Patek Philippe Steel Watches pg. 118-119
Catalogue Essay
Reference 530 is often associated with Patek Philippe's large chronograph wristwatch, but is also the correct model number for one of the firm's most beautiful and largest "time-only" wristwatches of the 1940s. Close examination reveals many similarities with the better known reference 570, but also two noteworthy differences. Firstly, the bezel on reference 530 is concave (vs. cylindrical with reference 570), and secondly, the diameter of reference 530 is 36.5mm, a little bit larger than reference 570.
Stainless steel examples of reference 530 are amongst the rarest gems throughout Patek Philippe's history of wristwatches, and examples with Breguet numerals are of such scarcity, that until today a maximum four watches could be located and identified.
The present example shines with a multi-tone silvered dial that has never been restored in over 70 years, and impresses with its harmonious play of different surface finishes and colors of the three different segments.
This watch, from 1941 has only once appeared at auction in 2006, and had back then caused a sensation amongst specialists, scholars and collectors. Not only has it achieved a world record result at the time nearly tripling its pre-sale estimate, but since then has been the subject of numerous discussions and publications, notably in John Goldberger's most complete tome dedicated to stainless steel Patek Philippe watches. The fact that it is featured in this book must be considered a knighting in its own right.
Since 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.