Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1957 Reference No: 570 Movement No: 728'029 Case No: 647'667 Model Name: Calatrava Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 12-400, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed, dial further signed Hausmann & Co. Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1957 and its subsequent sale on October 28, 1959.
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 were two-tone in design.
Cased in stainless steel, this reference 570 is truly astonishing. It exhibits full, thick lugs, and incredible proportions. The flat, cylindrical bezel retains sharp definition. The contrasting brushed and satin finishes enable the beholder to easily imagine how the watch originally left the Patek Philippe workshops.
It most notably displays the signature of Hausmann & Co above the subsidiary register at 6 o'clock. To date, only three examples of stainless steel reference 570s with this particular signature have appeared on the market, making the present example incredibly rare. The dial itself is preserved in beautiful condition, with barely any signs of aging. Furthermore, the hard enamel graphics remain raised and crisp, attesting to the originality of the timepiece.
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.