A solid eighteen carat white gold Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 570. As far as time only, three hand watches go, this might very well be the finest watch to ever sit in that category. The Patek Philippe Calatrava, still in the line today, is the pinacle of elegant, simple and classy watch design paired with the best watch making money can buy. This example, in solid eighteen carat white gold, is a more rare example and presented in stunning condition.
The reference 570 was launched in 1939 and remained in the line with Patek until 1972. That degree of longevity is almost unheard of in the watch industry, so is testament to the demand and desire that this watch instill on people. This current example presented is a second series model, launched in 1950 the watch was fitted with the manually wound 27SC caliber movement. It is an ingenious movement with a directly driven central seconds, which can be read about online if there is a desire to delve deep into the weeds of complicated watch making!
The design is so simple and elegant in this watch it leaves one nothing to not like. The very clean dial, bold dauphine hands, and the central seconds hand all sweep around the diamond-cut applied indices and the drilled minute track. The dial in this example is in superb condition. It would appear that it has been cleaned by Patek at some time as the Patek signature is not as bold as it would have been from the factory, but there are no issues with the dial aside from a tiny blemish by the six o'clock marker, and two tiny marks close to the hand set. All of which can only been under magnification, but being mentioned for transparency. The "swiss" signature is present at the foot of the dial. This watch was made in 1960, so now sixty four years old. It is hard to imagine finding another from this period in better condition.
The case is another factor that drives people to want to own a 570. It is a mixture of smooth and sharp. Flat and rounded. It is also large for the type of watch it is, and the time in whcih it was made. The watch measures 35.5mm across, which was very large for time only at this time. The case overall is in excellent condition, the top of the bezel has likely been polished over the years, the sides of the case appear to not have been, and not the tops of the lugs. The brushing has worn away slightly, but that can be expected from years on the wrist under sleeves.
The watch is presented with its extract from the archive have been made in 1960, and first sold November 20th 1961. Overall, a stunning example of one of the world's most coveted watches.
