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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.

BLANCPAIN LIMITED EDITION SPLIT SECOND CHRONOGRAPH YELLOW GOLD

Jean-Claude Biver’s time at Blancpain, from 1982 to 1992, was transformative. After acquiring the nearly defunct brand, Biver focused on reviving its rich heritage of high-end mechanical watches. He repositioned Blancpain as a luxury brand, emphasizing craftsmanship and exclusivity rather than mass production. A key moment was the revival of many complex complications, such as the split-second chronograph, minute repeater, and perpetual calendar, which further solidified Blancpain’s reputation for technical mastery. His approach of promoting traditional Swiss watchmaking and avoiding digital technology in favor of mechanical movements helped re-establish Blancpain’s prestige.

The condition of this rare Blancpain, manufactured during the Biver era, is truly stunning. If you’re looking for a superb 90’s Blancpain with a complication to add to your collection, this could be one of the best examples available on the market today. The case is untouched, with heavy oxidation, indicating the watch was likely stored in a safe for a long time. Remember, watches with complications like a split-seconds chronograph were extremely expensive and not widely accessible to the public, which is why this watch has been so well-preserved over the years. The watch shows minor signs of wear and aging, but it has never been polished or touched up. The dial is in excellent condition with no defects. The heavy gold bracelet is incredibly well-preserved with no stretch. Given the complication and matching yellow gold bracelet, this could very well be one of the most expensive Blancpains from the Biver period. The movement, based on the Frederic Piguet 1186, has been checked and works perfectly. Its condition and rarity make this watch highly desirable for any neo-vintage watch collector.

Limited Edition of 100 pieces.

ROLEX EXPLORER REF. 1016 FULL SET FIRST OWNER

The Rolex Explorer is one of the most renowned “tool watches” from Rolex. While Rolex watches are now considered symbols of prestige and luxury, during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, they were designed with practicality in mind, serving as reliable instruments for specific tasks. For example, the GMT-Master was created to track two time zones simultaneously, and the Submariner was engineered to provide a dependable tool for underwater activities. Similarly, the Explorer was developed for individuals who required a durable watch capable of withstanding extreme conditions, such as mountain climbing and other challenging adventures. Launched in 1953 alongside the legendary Submariner, the Explorer played a pivotal role in defining the modern sports watch, combining ruggedness with functionality. The Rolex Explorer 1016 was produced over many years, resulting in numerous variations of the model. The current example is from the mid-1970s and features a matte-finished dial.

The present Rolex Explorer 1016 is a well-preserved and untouched example of this iconic timepiece. Recently acquired from the original owner, the watch has never been polished or refinished in any way. The case remains untouched, retaining its original factory finishes, while the dial exhibits a stunning orange patina on both the hands and hour markers. The aging and signs of wear are consistent with a watch that has remained unaltered since its purchase in the early 1970s in Italy.
All components are correct for its year of manufacture, including the matte-finish dial, the 7836/258/71 bracelet, the 1570 caliber movement, and the 1016-signed case back.

The watch comes with original box and papers.

CARTIER PASHA REF. 820903 18KT YELLOW GOLD

The Cartier Pasha is undoubtedly one of the most iconic timepieces of all time. The origins of the Pasha story lie in the 1930s. The watch was commissioned to Louis Cartier in 1932 by the Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui. Until the 80s, this model was a unique piece that created an exotic and mysterious aura around it. The Pasha we know today finally appeared in 1985 and it was designed by the Cartier team together with the legendary watch designer Gerald Genta. The result of this collaboration was a masterpiece with a 38mm case, Arabic numerals dials and caseback with screws. To ensure the water resistance of the watch, Cartier decided to protect the crown with the cabochon cover connected to the case.

Made in 1986, this Pasha ref.820903 features an unusual and beautiful silver dial with Arabic numerals. The beauty of this timepieces is enhanced by the 18 yellow gold case that shows a very intriguing oxidation that further attests the superb quality of this timepiece. Reference and serial number are still clearly visible on caseback, dial has no flaws, movement works perfectly, cabochon is perfect without dings. The “Vendôme”-type lugs, the graduated unidirectional bezel and the iconic blue cabochon further enhance the charm of this timepiece.

CARTIER PASHA WHITE GOLD LAPIS DIAL

Recognized as one of the most coveted and opulent collections within the luxury watch landscape, the Pasha De Cartier holds an esteemed status as an iconic timepiece in the realm of horology.The Cartier Pasha has a storied history dating back to 1933, with the original rumor suggesting it was a gift to the Pasha of Marrakesh. While this tale remains unverified, the more likely account places the launch of the Pasha De Cartier in 1985, filling a niche in Cartier’s sports and luxury lines. In the mid-80s, the Pasha underwent a transformative design by Gerald Genta, resulting in a truly iconic model for Cartier. Since then, numerous variations and references of the Pasha have been crafted, showcasing distinctions in materials, mechanisms, and dimensions.

This Cartier Pasha is likely one of the rarest time-only Pasha models ever produced. Its rarity is attributed to several distinguishing factors. First, the case is crafted in white gold, a material used for very few Pasha models, as the majority were made in yellow gold. Second, the dial is made of lapis lazuli, a stunning and uncommon feature rarely seen on any Pasha. Lastly, the detachable front grid is adorned with diamonds, adding to its exclusivity. The combination of these features makes this watch exceptionally rare, highly collectible, and sought after by Cartier collectors. The condition is remarkable, with no signs of heavy wear. Overall, the watch is in exceptional condition.

The present timepiece has recently been auctioned during Phillips “Reloaded: The Rebirth of Mechanical Watchmaking, 1980-1999” auction.

Original box included.