Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1955 Reference No: 2555 Movement No: 705’042 Case No: 308’179 Model Name: Calatrava Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27 SC, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Lizard Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 31mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the present timepiece’s date of manufacture in 1955 and its subsequent date of sale on 31st August 1956.
Catalogue Essay
The 2555 is all about heft. The screwback case and box crystal gives the watch a pleasant thickness. The hands are oversized and the markers have an unusual ridge pattern that add a distinct twinkle. Also, the watch is double signed at 12 o'clock, another seldom seen detail. One of my favourite vintage Pateks ever. Every time I put it on, it just felt right. - Mark Cho
To the new owners of the watches in the sale: The Armoury will custom-make the winner one of The Armoury’s signature garments as a gift. For further details please visit the link below.
- The present Patek Philippe ref. 2555 is one that is scarcely seen on the market. Initially released in 1954, the monobloc case features a screwed-down water resistant caseback, which is perhaps the most interesting trait of this particular reference. In 1965, production for the ref. 2555 ceased after a successful 10-year run.
- A descendent of the coveted Calatrava ref. 96, the thick and flat coin bezel is certainly a familiar feature. Upon closer inspection, the rarely used texturized applied yellow gold indexes are a prominent feature that stands out from the other Stern dials, and is paired with distinctive dauphine hands that completes its clean and legible appeal.
- Preserved in an attractive overall condition and delivered with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, this is a great opportunity for lovers of vintage Calatravas to acquire an early example of the water-resistant reference. According to our research, only 39 yellow gold examples of the ref. 2555 are known to the market. Adding to its rarity, the present dial is also one of 16 Patek Philippe examples known to be double signed with Black, Starr & Gorham, a New York based retailer with a rich heritage that dates back to 1810. Furthermore, the Black, Starr & Gorham signature corresponds with the “HOX” code stamped on the bridge of the movement, confirming that the present example was made for the American market.
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.