Miranda
[PuristSPro Moderator]
5904
Patek Philippe Steel Calatrava buyer guide
If there is a watch I get PM about more than any other its the steel Calatrava, so I prepare this article to help.
Patek and steel, never a good mix for your wallet, especially when it comes to vintage. Of the steel vintage Calatrava, the most desirable are the 34mm-35mm. anything bigger and you may as well sell a kidney, actually probably 2 . (you may be on dialysis but at least you have a jumbo steel Calatrava).
Ref 570 pic credit Philipps
The most famous is the ref 570, with a generous 35/36mm case – alas the boat/plane/train all gone on this one (for the normal folk amongst us anyway)- prices are reaching 100k euro.
Pic credits Christie’s
Maybe not as expensive but equally desirable is the 565 screw back, again prices are nuts easily in the 50K+ euro range- probably way more.
Pic credit Christie’s
The same for the other screw back 2509/2508 34mm Calatrava (my favourite case design). In fact the last 2509 in steel I saw was offered at 90K euro
Pic credit Christie’s Doesn’t get much better with the hugely desirable and keenly sought after 3417- Amagnetic. A beast of a reference, but alas …gone…Phillips sold one in 2016 for CHF65,000.Looking back, with papers, I think this was a bargain.
So why am I writing this? Just to depress everyone???
No, there are three pieces still accessible. But for how long?
1. The ref. 1503: a superb size, 35.5mm, and the thin bezel gives it huge wrist presence. Very rare- I have been told only 12? pieces in all dial versions. How much? Anyone’s guess….have not seen any for sale recently, but Phillips sold the last one for CHF 35,000. With this size and rarity, I cannot see them for this price in good condition now. A lot depends on the dial version however, the Arabic dial probably being most desirable, then the two tone dial.
2. The ref 3466- A steel round case so typical of the 1960’s 34.5/35mm. Phillips sold one with a dial signed by Beyer for CHF40,000. Typically though 20k euro should get a decent one. Again this really in expensive compared to the other models.
3. Finally the ref 3483, centre seconds, very rare in this specification, 34/35mm, but very accessible for now. Again 20K Euro should get a good one.
Both the 3466/3483 are very undervalued, but if you crave a vintage steel Calatrava this is the time to grab one. The 1503 is already beginning to fly, and is in my opinion a superb addition for a collection but the issue is rarity- finding one is near impossible these days. But if you do see one, grab it as I see them going the way of the 570.
This message has been edited by Baron - Mr Red on 2018-07-16 12:58:48
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Patek Philippe Steel Calatrava buyer guide
If there is a watch I get PM about more than any other its the steel Calatrava, so I prepare this article to help. Patek and steel, never a good mix for your wallet, especially when it comes to vintage. Of the steel vintage Calatrava, the most desirable a...
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Thanks Miranda- you are so right with these ss models
Beautiful to wear One or two still a little undervalued But remember when buying- condition is king!! Julian
Thanks for this really informative post, especially for someone (like me) who knows next to nothing about vintage Calatravas!😉
The only problem is that I really wanna sell a kidney and get a Calatrava after this, I should be more careful about my summer readings!😂
Been on my list for some time...
A steel calatrava... the way things are developing chances of finding a nice specimen at a sensible price seem like a fading dream... one day perhaps! In the meantime will enjoy looking at yours here every once in a while
Besides Calatravas, there were steel 9''' - 90s . . .
. . . that were positively bargain priced in the not-too-distant past. I remember seeing one with a connection to Portugal I can't recall (perhaps a Portuguese retailer scripted on the dilapidated dial) on offer in the low four-figure range (US$). I almos...
I bought it
And true to form like the prized idiot that I am i sold it ...
V much appreciated
Thank you for this informative post!
