Patek Philippe & Co. Calatrava, Reference 530 | A stainless...
Dial: black
Calibre: cal. 12-120 manual winding, 18 jewels
Movement number: 924'492
Case: stainless steel, snap-on case back
Case number: 508'642
Closure: Patek Philippe calf leather strap and stainless steel buckle
Size: 36.5 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on March 6, 1944
Catalogue Note:
The Patek Philippe reference 530 was introduced in 1937 and remained in production until 1944. Representing a significant milestone in the history of the Calatrava, it was the first large-format Calatrava wristwatch produced in series, featuring a case measuring approximately 36–37 mm in diameter, a substantial increase over the 30.5 mm reference 96. Powered by the calibre 12-120, the reference was manufactured in a variety of configurations, including 14k yellow gold, 18k yellow gold, stainless steel, and the exceptionally rare stainless steel examples fitted with either pink gold or yellow gold bezels. Today, fewer than 30 examples across all known configurations are believed to exist.
The present watch first appeared publicly at auction in 1999, already fitted with its current black “telephone” dial, and subsequently returned to the market in 2015 in the same configuration. Accompanying the watch is an Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present timepiece in stainless steel with a silvery-black dial and baton indexes in 1943, and its subsequent sale on 6 March 1944.
Among the rarest and most desirable variants of the reference, the present example is distinguished by its attractive black dial. Revered by collectors for its generous dimensions and timeless design, the reference 530 occupies a unique position within Patek Philippe’s vintage production. Originally conceived as a time-only wristwatch, the design proved so successful that a chronograph version sharing the same reference number and aesthetic characteristics was later introduced.
Black-dial vintage Patek Philippe watches have long held legendary status among collectors, combining rarity with striking visual appeal. The dial fitted to the present watch was restored during a past service intervention, yet it remains entirely consistent with the watch’s long-documented appearance, having been recorded in the same configuration for more than two decades and on the Extract from the Archives. Furthermore, the stainless steel case retains strong proportions, well-defined lines and excellent overall definition, all characteristics highly sought after by discerning collectors of the reference.
Provenance:
Christie's, Geneva, November 2015, Lot 318
Christie's, Geneva, November 1999, Lot 176
Dial: black
Calibre: cal. 12-120 manual winding, 18 jewels
Movement number: 924'492
Case: stainless steel, snap-on case back
Case number: 508'642
Closure: Patek Philippe calf leather strap and stainless steel buckle
Size: 36.5 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on March 6, 1944
Catalogue Note:
The Patek Philippe reference 530 was introduced in 1937 and remained in production until 1944. Representing a significant milestone in the history of the Calatrava, it was the first large-format Calatrava wristwatch produced in series, featuring a case measuring approximately 36–37 mm in diameter, a substantial increase over the 30.5 mm reference 96. Powered by the calibre 12-120, the reference was manufactured in a variety of configurations, including 14k yellow gold, 18k yellow gold, stainless steel, and the exceptionally rare stainless steel examples fitted with either pink gold or yellow gold bezels. Today, fewer than 30 examples across all known configurations are believed to exist.
The present watch first appeared publicly at auction in 1999, already fitted with its current black “telephone” dial, and subsequently returned to the market in 2015 in the same configuration. Accompanying the watch is an Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present timepiece in stainless steel with a silvery-black dial and baton indexes in 1943, and its subsequent sale on 6 March 1944.
Among the rarest and most desirable variants of the reference, the present example is distinguished by its attractive black dial. Revered by collectors for its generous dimensions and timeless design, the reference 530 occupies a unique position within Patek Philippe’s vintage production. Originally conceived as a time-only wristwatch, the design proved so successful that a chronograph version sharing the same reference number and aesthetic characteristics was later introduced.
Black-dial vintage Patek Philippe watches have long held legendary status among collectors, combining rarity with striking visual appeal. The dial fitted to the present watch was restored during a past service intervention, yet it remains entirely consistent with the watch’s long-documented appearance, having been recorded in the same configuration for more than two decades and on the Extract from the Archives. Furthermore, the stainless steel case retains strong proportions, well-defined lines and excellent overall definition, all characteristics highly sought after by discerning collectors of the reference.
Provenance:
Christie's, Geneva, November 2015, Lot 318
Christie's, Geneva, November 1999, Lot 176
