Description:
PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA REF. 96 STAINLESS STEEL
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 96 is a landmark in the history of wristwatch design. Introduced in 1932, it was one of the first creations under the Stern family’s stewardship of Patek Philippe. At a modest 31mm in diameter, the Ref. 96 was small by today’s standards but perfectly proportioned for its time. Its clean lines, slim case, and elegant dial epitomized simplicity. The Ref. 96 was powered by manually wound calibers such as the 12-120 or 12-400. The watch was offered in various metals, including yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, and platinum. The dial designs varied significantly over the years, ranging from simple silver dials to more eccentric sector dials. The Ref. 96 has recently been rediscovered by many watch enthusiasts, both due to the renewed appreciation for smaller watches and for its timeless elegance and significance in Patek Philippe’s history.
The overall condition of this extremely rare stainless steel Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 96 is truly exceptional. The case appears to be untouched, still retaining its original factory finishes. It remains sharp, with well-defined lugs and a pristine, untouched flat bezel. The dial shows natural signs of aging, which is entirely expected for a watch of this age. It is most likely untouched and uncleaned, still featuring details such as the accent on “Genève” and the comma between “Patek” and “Philippe”—characteristics that often disappear after dial restoration or cleaning. The caliber is functioning perfectly without any issues. All components are correct for the year of manufacture, including the rare “Fab. Suisse” signed dial, as confirmed by the Extract from the Archives. The strap is not original Patek Philippe and the buckle is in white gold and period correct for the watch.
The watch is accompanied by a Patek Philippe extract from the archives stating as date of manufacture 1934 and date of sale 1936.
Year 1936, Serial Number, 611,XXX, Diameter 31mm