Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1954 Reference No: 570 Movement No: 722'984 Case No: 306'710 Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, Cal. 12-400, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1954 and its subsequent sale on December 2, 1954.
Catalogue Essay
There is something about the overt flamboyance of the combination of black dial and pink gold case that has captivated the aesthete for decades.
The present reference 570’s visually stimulating design cannot be underlined enough. The beautifully well preserved pink gold case has developed a purplish hue due to oxidation, demonstrating the fact that the watch has not been worn for quite some time. The black glossy dial, bold baton indexes and large seconds subcounter are timeless and incredibly contemporary. However, the four words discretely printed above the subseconds counter make this watch truly unique. The Serpico y Laino Carracas signature, also repeated on the caseback, can be found occasionally on the dials of Patek Philippe timepieces, a rare privilege granted by the Geneva brand to its most prominent retailers.
Launched in 1938 and in production for close to 30 years, the reference 570 is an enlarged version of the reference 96, Patek Philippe’s “original” Calatrava. 1938 is also the year Jean and Charles-Henri Stern bought Patek Philippe, making this reference the first model to be launched under their leadership adding extra historical appeal to this reference.
Beating inside this lovely wristwatch is the Patek Philippe caliber 12-400, making the present reference 570 the only known example with black dial housing this caliber, and the only known black dial reference 570 with Serpico y Laino signature, making this watch twice unique.
Fresh to the market, the present Patek Philippe, is made of the same fabric that dreams are made of and will certainly be a crown jewel in any collection.
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.