The Longitude at the Eve of the Third...
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 23, 1999
LOT 453
Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, Calatrava,No. 923581, case No. 298186, circa 1943.Fine and rare, 18K pink gold gentleman's wristwatch with leather strap and 18K pink gold Patek Philippe buckle.
CHF 10,000 - 12,000
Sold: CHF 13,800
C. two body, massive, polished and brushed. D. black with applied pink gold indexes, auxiliary seconds dial. "Dauphine" pink gold hands. M. Cal. 12'''-120, rhodium plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 18 jewels, lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance-spring, micrometer regulator.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 30 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: * 4 - 6 |
|
Dial: 4 - 8 - 01 |
Notes
For more than sixty years the Calatrava has been considered a classic and the most popular wristwatch, even though its production is limited to a few thousand pieces per year, since it takes about nine months to complete one watch. Patek Philippe, which initially specialized in custom-made watches, launched its first collection in 1932, with the creation of the Calatrava. This wristwatch collection for gentlemen derived its name from the knight's cross, symbol of the Geneva manufacturer. The firt model had a Clous de Paris bezel; over the years, several variations were created. Some cases are endowed with straight lugs from which the strap is assembled, others have integrated lugs that flow harmonically and produce a "tonneau" effect, like the present model. It is a rare piece, for the most exclusive private collections, since it was substituted with the new version in yellow gold.