CALATRAVA MODEL, REF. 96, MOVEMENT NO. 828'507, CASE NO. 295'499, MANUFACTURED IN 1938

Fresh to market and from the family of the original owner, the present Calatrava reference 96 is one of the most elegant and refined configurations of the iconic reference as the watch features a 'long signature', Breguet numerals, and spade hands. Further enhancing this well-preserved timepiece with thick lugs and crisp hallmarks, is a seldom seen and clear Hungarian import hallmark located on the upper right lug. The dial has evenly aged to a champagne-color, magnifying its beauty while complementing the yellow gold case. This early production model has a rare and unusual case construction with a lip on the caseback that perfectly fits by the crown without interfering with it. The case was manufactured by Antoine Gerlach (Key 4), and the inside caseback features an additional horizontal rectangular mark with a slash through it with '4⁄10' below, referring to the thickness 0.4 mm.

Reference 96
Launched in 1932, reference 96 was amongst the first models of Patek Philippe to be given a reference number. This was subsequent with the newly acquired owners, the Stern family wanting to reorganize and reevaluate the production of watches. Considered as the archetype and first Calatrava model, the reference 96 laid the foundation for the future of Patek Philippe watches and remains as one of the most iconic watches ever manufactured. It was also one of the longest produced references with its cease in approximately 1973, enduring a myriad of configurations with differences in case metals, dial colors and signatures, luminous applications, complications, and diamond embellishments.