Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. No. 1569 Oversize 18K Solid Gold Wristwatch, Switzerland 1944

Exceedingly Rare and Exclusive ** Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. N° 1569 Oversize 18K Solid Gold Wristwatch, Switzerland 1944 **

Wearing “a Patek” demonstrates “Individuality” where others chase mass recognition. First and foremost, wearing a Patek Philippe wristwatch signifies “Self-Confidence”, a “statement” to and about one’s self. Thus, an integral part of the pleasure lies in the personal knowledge that one is wearing “the very best”.

Indeed, the mechanical movement inside the Patek Philippe wristwatch presented here for your consideration is of such incredibly high quality… is such a Work of horological Art… that any quest to understand the “significance” of this wonderful timepiece must begin on the inside:

Caliber 12’’’ – 120 (ebauche Patek Philippe), anchor escapement, 18 rubies, monometallic screw-balance, flat hairspring, 18’000 oscillations, Côte de Genève polished finish, hidden winding mechanism, screw set counter-pivot, micrometer speed regulation… in other words, the top of the top, even for a Patek Philippe!

Notwithstanding, this watch’s exterior is equally remarkable. Its impressively oversize 18K solid gold Calatrava case with sculpted lugs is an iconic example of the classic Mid-Century “look”… which to this day continues to dominate luxury watch design. Hence, this specific watch already represented the height of fashionable design in 1944, when it was produced; it remains so today… and similarly still will be when passed along to following generations!

• Dimensions: 36 mm (excluding the winding crown) x 44 mm (lug to lug)
• Case signed: PATEK PHILIPPE & Co, GENEVE, SWISS
• Dial signed: PATEK PHILIPPE & CO, GENÈVE
• Movement signed: PATEK, PHILIPPE & Co, GENEVE, EIGHTEEN (18) JEWELS, ADJUSTED FIVE (5) POSITIONS, THREE (3) HEAT, COLD, ISOCHRONISM
• Reference N°: 1569
• Hallmarks: Case fully hallmarked, 18K / 0.750, Patek Philippe goldsmith’s mark (Hammerhead symbol with N° 145), Swiss official gold mark (Helvetie head in profile)

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Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe is recognized by experts and watch lovers as one of, if not, THE most prestigious watch brand in the world.

The Firm’s illustrious history reaches back to 1839, when businessman Antoine Norbert de Patek teamed up with watchmaker François Czapek. Together, they created Patek, Czapek & Co. at 29 Quai des Bergues in Geneva where, assisted by a few colleagues, they annually produced about 200 very high-quality watches.

Patek was born 1812 in Piaski, a small village in Poland and in 1832, following the revolution, fled to Paris and subsequently to Geneva. Czapek , born 1811 in Semonice (Bohemia) first emigrated to Warsaw where he acquired Polish citizenship and later  participated in the November uprising as a soldier of the National Guard. He too fled to Geneva in 1832, where initially he created the firm Czapek & Moreau with a local Swiss watchmaker.

In 1844, when the young enterprise, Patek, Czapek & Co. presented its wares at a Paris exhibition, Patek heard about Jean-Adrien Philippe who had invented a very slim keyless winding fob watch. Thus in 1845, when Patek and Czapek fell into disagreement and went their separate ways, Patek offered Philippe the post of technical director in his Geneva firm.

Patek & Co. first appeared on 15 May 1845, still on Geneva’s Quai des Bergues, but now at number 15. Then, on 1 January 1851, the business was rechristened Patek Philippe & Co.

In the case of Patek Philippe, horological accomplishments are too numerous to list exhaustively. Hereafter a few notable examples:

• 1922 – World’s most complicated pocket watch, for American industrialist Henri Graves Jr.
• 1925 – First wristwatch in the world with perpetual calendar
• 1937 – First world time wristwatches, produced with the assistance of Geneva watchmaker Louis Cottier
• 1941 – First perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches
• 1945 – First tourbillon wristwatches
• 1962 – First self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatches
• 1989 – World’s most complicated pocket watch (again), calibre 89 with 33 distinct complications, created for the occasion of the Company’s 150th anniversary
• 2000 – The world’s most complicated pocket watch (again), Star Calibre 2000
• 2008 – Sky Moon tourbillon wristwatch which, at $1.4 million, equalled the record for the most expensive modern wristwatch in auction, previously held by Vacheron & Constantin since 2005 for their Tour de l’Ile wristwatch
• 2010 – Perpetual calendar moonphase chronograph from 1943, at $5.50 million becomes the most expensive wristwatch ever sold in auction
• 2013 – Perpetual calendar moonphase chronograph from 1953, reference #2499, at $611’000 becomes the most expensive wristwatch ever sold in an online auction

Patek Philippe’s association with royalty dates to the company’s early days. Antoine Norbert de Patek initially focused on selling his timepieces to Polish nobility.  This royal connection has continued throughout the company’s history, cementing Patek Philippe’s reputation as a watchmaker of choice for the world’s elite. The enduring relationship between Patek Philippe and royalty demonstrates the brand’s commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and prestige, making it a favorite among those of noble birth and discerning taste:

One of the most famous royal owners of a Patek Philippe watch was Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. In 1851, during the Great Exhibition in London, Queen Victoria acquired a keyless pendant watch from Patek Philippe. This exquisite timepiece was adorned with rose-cut diamonds arranged in a floral pattern. The Queen also owned another exclusive Patek Philippe watch designed to be pinned to clothing, featuring a diamond and enamel brooch.

More recently, members of the British Royal Family have continued to wear Patek Philippe watches:

Queen Elizabeth II was photographed wearing various Patek Philippe timepieces throughout her reign.

Princess Diana was known to wear two Patek Philippe watches simultaneously, including the iconic Patek Philippe Calatrava Disco Volante that belonged to Prince Charles (now King Charles III).

Patek Philippe’s royal clientele also included Chukalongkorn (Rāma V), the King of Siam. In 1897, he visited Patek Philippe in Geneva during his world tour and purchased an impressive 56 timepieces, many of which were intended as royal gifts