Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 565 - Luminous 'Breguet' Dial With Extract

The Patek Philippe Calatrava. Arguably the brands most iconic model line, and purest expression of the brand. Their raison d'etre if you will.

The line has been a hit since its debut in 1932. So much so, that the name "Calatrava" itself has become something of a byword within the watch industry for traditionally styled, no-frills dress watches that simply tell the time. Over the course of its nearly 100-years of production, there have been seemingly countless iterations within the line, with variations in the metal they are made in, with their size, dial configurations, and eventually, complications.

And then, there is the Calatrava Reference 565.

One of the brands most iconic watches from the early half of the 20th Century, The 565 was launched in 1938, and was one of the first Patek models to be offered in a variety of metals, with a variety of dials. That is just one of the 565’s claims to fame. It was also the first Calatrava to have a screw down case back and offer water resistance, making it a more usable watch than its predecessors.

The example that we have here features one of the most desirable dial configurations: a luminous variant with applied Breguet numerals, a matching luminous blued-steel handset, and a 'radial' finished subsidiary seconds register on the bottom half. The dial itself has been professionally refurbished and is in absolutely fantastic condition, with a finely brushed silver base, those crisp applied Breguet indices, and virtually flawless black printing throughout. The original luminous material shows even patina and minor degradation throughout and matched the 'sword' handset almost perfectly. The case is in equally fantastic condition, retaining thick, symmetrical lugs with sharp undersides and no signs of previous polishing or excessive wear. Exactly what you want to see in any investment grade vintage watch.

Watches like this are what collecting are all about, finding exceptional examples of these early watches in properly untouched and unrestored condition is no small feat. It was very common, and honestly preferred, in the collecting community of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, to seek out restored dials that looked perfect — along with polished cases with no scratches. During that wave we saw many of the greatest vintage Pateks be restored by experts in the field OR by Patek themselves. Today, professional restorations are largely accepted in the Patek Philippe community, and we are thrilled to offer up this important piece of Patek history, complete with an Extract from the Archives dating the original manufacture date to 1942.

There are watches - and then there are watches! This is one of the latter.