Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is thrilled to welcome you to Watches Online: The New York Sessions Featuring the 1979 Collection, Spring 2025, running from 10:00 AM ET, Tuesday, 1 April, to 12:00 PM ET, Tuesday, 8 April. Featuring more than 65 different high-end luxury wristwatches, the sale covers everything from A. Lange & Söhne and F.P. Journe to Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, including all the watches featured below.
– By Logan Baker
There are few names in watchmaking that command the reverence of Patek Philippe, and few collections that better capture the brand’s enduring philosophy of timeless design and technical excellence than the Calatrava.
From the pioneering elegance of the reference 96 to the bold proportions of the “Calatravone” 570, and into the nuanced modernity of the Millennium 5026 set, each of these timepieces tells a unique story — rooted in tradition, yet forward-looking in its execution.
The following trio of standout references highlights not only the evolution of the Calatrava line, but also the subtle ways in which Patek Philippe continues to shape and redefine the standards of classic dress watch design across generations.
Lot 33: A 1952 Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 96 in 18k Yellow Gold
Estimate: USD $4,000 - 8,000
The reference 96 stands as a foundational pillar in the history of vintage Patek Philippe. Introduced in 1932, it marked the debut of what would become one of the most elegant and enduring families of time-only dress watches: the Calatrava. Not only was it the very first Calatrava, but it was also among the earliest Patek Philippe models to be assigned a reference number — an important milestone in the brand’s evolution.
Produced continuously from 1932 until 1973, the reference 96 was offered in a remarkable variety of configurations. Collectors can find examples with an array of dial designs paired with cases crafted in yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, stainless steel, platinum, and even two-tone combinations. Yellow gold, however, remains the most iconic.
This particular yellow gold example captures the timeless appeal of the reference. Its dial is adorned with elegant pearl hour markers and features a subsidiary seconds display just above 6 o’clock. The case retains two crisp hallmarks — one on the side and another tucked beneath the lugs — further affirming its authenticity and quality. It is accompanied by an Extract from the Archives, confirming its originality and production details.
Lot 34: A 1969 Patek Philippe Ref. 570 in 18k White Gold
Estimate: USD $25,000 - 50,000
Patek Philippe’s Reference 570 is a brilliant expression of refined elegance and confident design. Considered generously sized for its time, it earned the affectionate nickname “Calatravone” — Italian for “large Calatrava.” With its broad flat bezel, bold lugs, and balanced proportions, the 570 enjoyed a remarkable production span from 1938 to 1972. Decades later, it remains one of the most coveted references within the Calatrava family.
Offered in a wide range of configurations, the Reference 570 was available with either a subsidiary seconds or center seconds display, and produced in stainless steel as well as precious metals. Starting in the 1950s, Patek Philippe began fitting later examples with the upgraded caliber 27 SC — a hallmark of the second series, to which the present example belongs.
This particular white gold Ref. 570 stands out for its exceptional preservation and enduring elegance. A true collector’s piece, it radiates quiet confidence and timeless charm — an ideal companion for both formal and understated occasions, and a subtle yet striking addition to any collection.
Lot 35: A Set of Four 2001 Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 5026s in 18k White Gold, 18k Yellow Gold, 18k Pink Gold, and Platinum
Estimate: USD $30,000 - 60,000
Released between 1999 and 2001 in a strictly limited series of just 130 sets, the four special executions of Reference 5026 were created by Patek Philippe to commemorate the arrival of the new Millennium. Originally introduced in 1997 as part of the Calatrava line, the Ref. 5026 offered a refined 33.5mm case, an off-center subsidiary seconds display, and a sapphire caseback revealing the beautifully finished micro-rotor automatic movement within.
Each of the four pieces in the Millennium set was crafted with a distinct dial and case combination:
-
18K yellow gold with silvered grené dial and black Roman numerals
-
18K pink gold with ardoise (grey) sunburst dial and white Roman numerals
-
18K white gold with blue sunburst dial and white Roman numerals
-
Platinum with black sunburst dial and white Roman numerals
This particular set is exceptionally well preserved, with two of the four watches still sealed in their original factory packaging. Originally delivered to the prestigious retailer Gübelin in Lucerne, Switzerland, the set is complete with Certificates of Origin for each watch, as well as its original presentation box. Whether viewed as a celebration of fine watchmaking at the turn of the century or as a time capsule of Patek Philippe's elegant design language, this Millennium set is a rare and compelling offering for the discerning collector.
You can view the complete catalog for the Phillips Watches Online: The New York Sessions Featuring the 1979 Collection, Spring 2025, right here.
Our new online auction app for iOS offers a seamless way to browse and bid in online auctions. Download now to bid in the Phillips Watches Online: The New York Sessions Featuring the 1979 Collection, Spring 2025. Phillips Online is currently only available on iOS. Android users can browse and bid via their mobile browser
About Phillips In Association With Bacs & Russo
The team of specialists at PHILLIPS Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auction, with its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV having realized $74.5 million in 2021. Over the course of 2021 and 2022, the company sold 100% of the watches offered, a first in the industry, resulting in the highest annual total in history across all the auction houses at $227 million.
About Logan Baker
Logan has spent the past decade reporting on every aspect of the watch business. He joined Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo at the start of 2023 as the department's Senior Editorial Manager. He splits his time between New York and Geneva.
Recommended Reading
The Different Shapes of Cartier
Highlights from the 1979 Collection
Specialists' Picks: The New York Sessions Featuring the 1979 Collection, Spring 2025