< Back to watches

Patek Philippe Calatrava

565

£44,950

Enquire

Now available, an exceptionally rare Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 565 in stainless steel.

First introduced in 1938, the reference 565 was Patek’s first water-resistant Calatrava, its case manufactured by the famed Taubert workshop - the same case maker responsible for the waterproof case of the iconic reference 1463. With its screw-down caseback and monobloc case design, the 565 brought a level of robustness and engineering rarely seen in dress watches of its era. While the reference was also offered in precious metals, examples in stainless steel were produced in extremely small numbers, placing them high above their gold counterparts in terms of their desirability in the market today.

This particular watch was manufactured in 1952 and sold in 1953, as confirmed by its Extract from the Archives, which also records the caseback engraving carried out by Patek Philippe at the time of sale - a historically significant and seldom-seen offering by the manufacturer. However, it is the condition of this example which is simply remarkable: the steel case remains razor-sharp, with crisp geometry that has been perfectly preserved, while the dial has aged to an even and flawless creamy tone. The blued subsidiary seconds hand adds a discreet but beautiful touch of colour to the composition. Steel reference 565s are rare enough in any condition, but to find one in such untouched and well-documented form is truly exceptional - a grail-level opportunity for the discerning Patek Philippe collector.

The watch, as mentioned previously, is accompanied by its Extract from the Archives, as well as an array of different strap options, and is available for viewing in London and purchase worldwide. Please get in touch for further information.