864Σ
Patek Philippe
Ref. 96
Calatrava
A striking, very elegant and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with small seconds, black dial, Breguet hands and numerals
- Estimate
- HK$80,000 - 160,000€8,800 - 17,700$10,300 - 20,500
HK$355,600
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1950
- Reference No
- 96
- Movement No
- 966’852
- Case No
- 302’895
- Model Name
- Calatrava
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 12’’’120, 18 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Crocodile
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 30.5mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture for the present timepiece in 1950, its subsequent date of sale 15th December 1950 and its black dial with applied Breguet figures in yellow gold was produced between 1980-1990.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The present example, part of the second series from 1950 and confirmed by the Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, is an exceptional outlier from regular production. Fitted with the correct caliber 12’’’120, this watch features a later black dial with Breguet hands and numerals, produced between 1980 and 1990, as recorded in the Extract from the Archives. To have had the privilege of changing the dial at Patek Philippe, the original collector would have needed to be a significant client of the brand.
The glossy black dial is in very well-preserved condition, complete with rare Breguet elements. The hallmark behind the lug remains deep and crisp, and the case proportions are perfectly balanced. Our research indicates that approximately 90 examples with black dials in yellow gold are known in the market.
This watch has spent the last 20 years in a safe since its market appearance in 2005. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire a special reference 96 with a black Breguet dial, embodying the timeless elegance of Patek Philippe.
The glossy black dial is in very well-preserved condition, complete with rare Breguet elements. The hallmark behind the lug remains deep and crisp, and the case proportions are perfectly balanced. Our research indicates that approximately 90 examples with black dials in yellow gold are known in the market.
This watch has spent the last 20 years in a safe since its market appearance in 2005. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire a special reference 96 with a black Breguet dial, embodying the timeless elegance of Patek Philippe.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.
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