126,500 HKD
Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, Calatrava,No. 968403, case No. 303722, Ref. 96, circa 1951.Very fine and rare, platinum and diamonds gentleman’s wristwatch with platinum tiled bracelet. three body, polished and brushed, flat bezel, concave lugs, dedicated back. matte silverwith round and baguette diamond-set indexes, auxiliary seconds dial. “Feuille” white gold hands. 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. 31 mm. Notes Ref. 96Production of this reference started in 1934.Similar watches are published in Patek Philippe Wristwatches, by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, 1998 Edition, pp. 173-174.CalatravaFor 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. Over thyears, several variations were created. Some cases are endowed with straight lugs from which the strap is assembled, others have integrated lugs that flow harmoniously and produce a “tonneau” effect.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2000-06-05
