Our remarks

PATEK PHILIPPE Calatrava, Ref. 2591P, 950 Platinum, Silver Dial, Signed Platinum Mesh Bracelet, Box, circa 1960, Excellent Condition

A Calatrava from around 1960 is already a lovely thing to own. This one is in platinum on a matching platinum bracelet, which is what makes it special. Patek Philippe introduced ref. 2591 in 1957 and made it mostly in yellow and white gold. Platinum examples are very rare. When Phillips sold one in Geneva in 2019, only five platinum pieces of this reference were known.

The round case measures about 34.5 mm. That was a generous size for a dress watch at the time, and it still looks right on the wrist today. Platinum is noticeably heavier than gold and has a cooler, slightly darker shine. Once you’ve had one on the wrist, you understand why collectors are so drawn to it. The case is in excellent condition.

The silver dial is very clean. The hour markers and the Patek Philippe signature are fully intact, and the print is sharp and upstanding (indeligibile). There are no extra subdials or complications, just hours, minutes and small seconds. That simplicity is exactly what the Calatrava has always been about.

Inside is the manually wound calibre 23-300 with 18 jewels. Patek used this movement in its time-only watches of the period. It’s robust, finely finished and has a reputation for running reliably for decades.

The removable Milanese bracelet is a fine mesh in 950 platinum and is signed Patek Philippe. You rarely see a platinum Calatrava from this era on a matching signed platinum bracelet. Bracelet and case together make a very harmonious watch that wears comfortably and drapes softly around the wrist.

The watch comes with a Patek Philippe box. There are no papers.

"This is a quiet, very elegant and under rareted Calatrava in a metal you seldom find on this reference, for collectors who know what they’re looking at!"