Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1951 Reference No: 96 Movement No: 969’010 Case No: 303’719 Model Name: Calatrava Material: Platinum Calibre: Manual, cal. 12-120 Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 31mm Diameter Signed: Dial, case, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Further delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of manufacture in 1951 and its subsequent date of sale on 10th October 1952 and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Launched in 1932, the legendary ref. 96 was Patek Philippe’s first numbered reference for wristwatches. With a production span of 41 years seized in 1973, it is irrefutable that it is one of the most important collections in Patek Philippe. With the case measuring a mere 31mm in diameter, it houses a manual winding caliber, varied in series.
Due to its long production span, the reference was produced in four series. The first series seized its production in 1935 and only produced for three years since its initial launch. The second series was introduced in 1935 and produced until 1953 with an upgraded cal. 12”’120. The third series was released in 1950 with an option for a hobnail bezel. Finally, the fourth series was introduced in 1960 until 1973.
The present example is a rare and highly attractive ref. 96 housed in a platinum case made by Antoine Gerlach featuring a silvered dial with diamond indexes. As platinum is one of the rarest case materials produced, this present example is definitely a conversation piece amongst collectors.
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.