Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1955 Reference No: 2537 Movement No: 726'609 Case No: 423'734 Model Name: Calatrava Material: 18k pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 12-400, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Pink gold Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 34.5mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
The reference 2537 was manufactured between 1950 and 1961 and featured an elaborate case with a feel of timeless style.
Reference 2537 utilizes the calibre 12-400 movement, also found in references 2532, 2538/1, 2560, 2569 and 2570. Each reference with the 12-400 movement was fitted in round cases encased in either yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, platinum or steel.
The present watch is a beautiful example of a reference 2537 in pink gold. Showing a fullness of its case proportions with crisp chamfered lugs, a warm and very balanced silvered dial with applied and faceted pink gold hour markers, creating a watch with looks and feels very iconic of the period.
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.