Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1954 Reference No: 570 Movement No: 723'193 Case No: 306'706 Model Name: Calatrava Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 12-400, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial and Breguet numerals in 1954 and its subsequent sale on October 23, 1954.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 570 was Patek Philippe's very first "large" Calatrava model that was produced in series. At the time of production, the reference was the largest "time-only" wristwatch produced by the firm. Manufactured from 1938 to 1972, the model was cased predominantly in yellow gold, and rarely in pink gold, white gold, stainless steel and platinum.
The reference featured a multitude of dial variations. While some were fitted with Breguet numerals, others featured black lacquer dials and even some with two-tone configuration. The present watch features pink gold applied Breguet numerals, which is confirmed by the Extract from the Archives.
Even though five pink gold reference 570s housing the caliber 12-120 with Breguet numerals are known, the present pink gold reference 570 is the only one known with caliber 12-400 and Breguet numerals.
The caseback most interestingly features two hallmarks, underlining the excellent condition of the case.
Since 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.