Patek Philippe steel calatrava vintage watch - c1937

Firstly, this beautiful Patek Philippe watch [Ref 96 / Cal 12’’’120 / Case 616.152 / Movement 828.234] was photographed in less than ideal conditions. The photos have given the watch a greenish hue and have made the dial look uneven. I can guarantee that the original silvered dial is completely even and in simply excellent condition, The whole watch is more impressive than photographed - or your money back. Dating from 1937, the watch is very rare in steel - very few steel Calatravas were made during the 30s - and is in excellent all original condition - a collectors dream. I have included an archive extract from Patek Philippe for provenance purposes [photograph included below]. The watch features a solid steel case, a very clean hand wound movement [Cal 12’’’120] and an extremely clean original, unrestored dial. Attached is a later genuine Patek Philippe crocodile strap and the the original Patek steel buckle. As mentioned, the photos do not do justice to this beautiful watch, so if you like the photos you will be thrilled with the actual watch.

You can feel confident buying from me - I offer a full refund if you are not entirely happy, as long as the watch is returned within seven days if UK customer, fourteen days if overseas, in the same condition. I also provide a full receipt, six months guarantee (long enough for you to assess the working order) and a professional insurance valuation. I also welcome you to come and view the watch at our central London address, in the New Bond Street area. I offer my customers online prices - well below value - with offline availability and service.

The solid steel Calatrava case is in excellent, clean condition, with no nasty polishing. It is obviously very high quality, as you would expect from Patek and measures 30mm wide, excluding the original winding crown x 36mm long, including the lugs. The case back closes perfectly and the edges of the case back are in excellent condition, showing that the case has rarely been opened and always carefully. The inside back of the case is correctly signed ‘Patek Philippe & Co', ‘Swiss’, ‘FB’ [for Francis Baumgartner, one of the famous casemakers of the era, who helped to pioneer Borgel cases], ‘616152 16’ and ‘Staybrite rustless steel’.

The lovely original, unrestored silvered dial is in simply excellent clean condition, showing no significant signs of wear. It is signed 'Patek Philippe & Co’ and ‘Geneve'. The baton hour markers are applied and the signature is enamelled. The original hands, including sub seconds hand, are in very good, unbent condition. The original crystal lens is in very good condition for its age, with minor wear but no cracks.

The hand wound Patek Philippe movement [Cal 12’’’120] is excellent quality, as you would expect, centre jewelled and features ‘fausses cotes’ decoration. It is brighter in reality than photographed and is signed ‘Patek Philippe & Co’, ‘Geneve’, ‘828234’ and ‘M’. The movement is in simply excellent condition, winding and setting smoothly and is in perfect working order, keeping very good time.

The watch is on a used, later genuine Patek Philippe crocodile strap, attached to which is the original Patek Philippe steel buckle, which adds greatly to the value of the watch. The buckle is in very good, gleaming condition, with minor wear. The watch comes complete with a new quality watch box, for safekeeping.
A simply superb watch from history's premier watchmaker; serious collection standard. Will provide an excellent financial investment as well as a possession to enjoy.