Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1943 Reference No: 530 Movement No: 923'151 Case No: 507'802 Model Name: Calatrava Material: Stainless steel and 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'''120, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 36.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by additional set of hour/minute hands. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with stainless steel case, gold bezel and crown, silvered dial with yellow gold numerals in 1943 and its subsequent sale on 18 May 1943
Catalogue Essay
While the “original” Calatrava was reference 96, launched in the early 1930s, reference 530 (and 570) followed soon after and has risen in the hearts of the collectors to the point of being considered nearly archetypal in its design. Featuring the unmistakable vintage Calatrava architecture distinguished by sinuous and simple Bauhaus-inspired case lines, it is in fact nearly identical to reference 96, albeit featuring much more generous case proportions - oversize for the time - and a concave bezel inherited from reference 130. In fact, reference 530 was available also with chronograph, which explains the design connection with ref. 130.
Unarguably accepted as one of the most elegant, masculine and formally perfect case designs of the past century, in this instance the Calatrava case features a steel and yellow gold construction. Beyond being much more rare than the yellow gold counterpart, the mixed metal design adds flair and playfulness to the ensemble.
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.