46 Patek Philippe An extremely well preserved, elegant and fascinating, Calatrava, manual wristwatch in yellow gold, with applied Breguet numerals dial and center seconds, Extract from the Archives, reference 2533.

Estimate: € 40.000 –⁠ 80.000

A 20% import VAT is due on the final price including premium, only if it is delivered within the EU.

• Model Calatrava
• Year 1956
• Reference 2533
• Case Material 18K yellow gold
• Case Number 691'540
• Bracelet Material Leather strap
• Movement Manual, cal. 27SC, 18 jewels
• Movement Number 705'513
• Dimension 34.5mm Diameter
• Signed Case, dial and movement
• Accessories Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present timepiece in 1956 and its subsequent sale on October 2nd 1956.
• Literature This specific watch was previously sold in Phillips Geneva "THE GENEVA WATCH AUCTION: EIGHT" auction November 11th 2018, as lot 147 for CHF 42,500.

Patek Philippe’s reference 2533 marked an important stylistic evolution within the manufacture’s post-war production. Conceived as the successor to reference 565, the model retained the elegant curvature of its predecessor while embracing a more contemporary design language. The case was subtly reworked with the addition of a refined bevel along the outer contour and a stepped bezel, details that injected depth and architectural tension into what remained a resolutely understated Calatrava profile. What elevates this watch into an altogether different realm, however, is its dial. Fitted with exquisitely proportioned Breguet numerals, the present reference 2533 offers a configuration that is as visually arresting as it is academically significant. To date, this is the first recorded appearance of a reference 2533 bearing this highly coveted numeral style, a feature more commonly associated with some of Patek Philippe’s most charismatic and collectible creations. Extremely rare in this dial configuration, the watch is further distinguished by its extraordinary state of preservation. The case retains all of its original geometry with crisp bevels and sharp transitions, while the dial remains beautifully untouched. Preserved in truly new old stock condition, the present example offers a level of freshness almost never encountered in watches of this period, making it truly exceptional.