Pre-Owned Patek Philippe Calatrava 40930065/AS05635

WHY WE LOVE IT

Patek Philippe has long been known for its complicated watchmaking, but following the stock market crash of 1929, fewer clients had the means to purchase these high-end timepieces. After securing a controlling interest in the firm, Jean and Charles Henri Stern decided to enlist the help of an English designer named David Penney to create a simple watch that would come in at a lower price point and appeal to the firm’s clientele.

Using the principles espoused by the Bauhaus school and its minimalist, function-first philosophy, Penney conceived the Calatrava, taking its name from the Spanish military order established in the 12th century which had become the symbol of Patek Philippe. Since its debut in 1932, the Calatrava has become a byword for a simple, time-only dress watch — even from brands other than Patek itself.

This particular Calatrava, a reference 3445J, embodies all of the things we love about the world’s most elegant dress watch family: Housed in what would have been considered an 'oversize' case at the time, this 36mm yellow gold watch features a beautiful sunburst silver dial with applied indices and subsidiary seconds at the 6:00 position, a matching pencil handset, and Patek's Calibre 27-460M automatic-winding movement within.

Sure, you could get yourself a modern dress watch that tells the time just fine — and that probably ends up in a drawer after a while. But a real Calatrava from the world’s greatest watchmaker is forever.

OVERALL CONDITION

The case is in excellent condition overall showing normal signs of wear consistent with age and use. Sunburst silver dial with applied indices is in very equally excellent condition with matching 'pencil' handset. Signed crown.