Patek Philippe Calatrava watch in yellow gold manual winding 1951 35 mm

The short story

The name Calatrava is inevitably associated with Patek Philippe. It refers to the Calatrava Cross, with its four stylized fleur-de-lis, which is the emblem of Patek Philippe, after having been the emblem of an order of knights who distinguished themselves in the Middle Ages, notably during the Reconquesta of Spain. If this hyper classic model has a special place in the history of Patek Philippe, it is also because its creation in 1932 coincided with the revival of the brand. The brand was in dire straits when it was taken over by the Stern family that year, and it has since enjoyed impressive success.

The Reference 570

Unveiled in 1932, the first Calatrava Ref. 96 was based on the principles of the Bauhaus school of architecture and applied arts. The maxims "less is more", "function dictates form" and "God is in the details" presided over the creation of this watch with pure lines. Reference 570, launched in the same decade, is an enlarged Ref. 96, with the diameter increasing from 31 mm to 35 mm, a very important size for the time. A large bezel haloed its harmonious and uncluttered dial punctuated with faceted indexes and gold dauphine hands. For us, the Calatrava reference 570 is one of the most beautiful dress watches of all time.

The package

The Calatrava Ref. 570 in 18K yellow that we offer you today is in perfect condition. The archive extract that will be delivered with the piece attests to its authenticity and gives us valuable information about the watch and its year of production. It has not been over-polished; the gold hallmark is still clearly visible under the upper right lug. Some age marks dot the dial and some of the indexes show traces of surface oxidation. It is powered by the manual winding caliber 12-120 PS numbered 968.442. Its black alligator leather strap is not the original one, but it is a Patek Philippe stamped leather.