Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1942 Reference No: 570 Movement No: 922'875 Case No: 626'864 Model Name: "Calatravone" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 12-120, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with satin-finished silvered dial, black enameled Breguet numerals in 1942 and its subsequent sale on February 22, 1943.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 570, nicknamed "Calatravone" (Italian for large Calatrava), has been a favorite amongst collectors thanks to its large case, flat bezel and vivid modernist design.
Introduced in 1938, the iconic reference 570, which is a larger version of Patek Philippe’s reference 96, was manufactured with both subsidiary and center seconds configurations in stainless steel, yellow, white and pink gold, and platinum cases.
Fresh to the auction market and one of the most impressive specimens to grace the auction market in recent years, the present reference 570 in stainless steel features an extraordinary two-tone dial with Breguet numerals. To date, only two examples with the present dial configuration (two-tone dial with Breguet numerals and railway track) have appeared on the market, no less in such original and stunning condition.
Not only is the two-tone effect dazzling and visible, all hard enamel graphics are also present, showing that the dial has not seen intervention throughout its lifetime. As an added bonus, the dial is confirmed by the Extract from the Archives as being satin-finished with black enameled Breguet numerals, adding to the collectibility of the timepiece. The case too is in a most appealing condition with sharp facets and crisp sides.
So enigmatic is this dial design that Patek Philippe chose to use this configuration in their reference 5196 in platinum.
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.