Extremely rare Calatravone ('large Calatrava') in 18ct white gold, this Patek Philippe reference 570 has an accompanying archive extract confirming its original sale in November 1962.

The model was introduced in 1938 and remained a keystone in the Patek collection. Only the greats stay in the catalogue for a quarter-century and more. Most mid-century Pateks were yellow gold, with white gold or platinum pieces are nearly impossible to find, while a steel version of this Calatrava sold at auction in Geneva in 2021 for 3.3 million francs!

The watch was a bold, modernist statement for its day, with large case, flat bezel (in beautiful sharp condition), and simple lines. With such a narrow bezel and the dial extending nearly all the way to the watch edge, you would not think it is 35mm – it looks and wears like 38mm.

The dial is simply superb; we can't drag ourselves away from peering at it. The words 'Patek Philippe Genève' are of course indelibly fired hard enamel into engraved linework, typically Patek of this generation. The frosted silvered field is punctuated at the very edge by tiny domed and polished minute marks, with classic facetted Calatrava hour chapters and dauphin hands.

The in-house calibre 27SC has numerous technical improvements. It has directly-driven seconds, giving the seconds hand an extremely smooth sweep, unlike earlier arrangements where the hand can be prone to 'flutter'. This solid calibre was also the base for the early Patek Philippe perpetual calendars refs 2438 & 2497, under the variant 27-SCQ.

Stamped with the correct key emblem of Patek's case-maker Antoine Gerlach. Supplied with rare original Patek box, signed white gold early "peaked" buckle on hand-made alligator Patek strap, and Patek Philippe archive extract.