Patek Philippe Calatrava in 18k Yellow Gold Silver Soleil Dial ref. 3470 Ultra-Thin, 1965

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

The Patek Philippe Calatrava is widely regarded as the quintessential dress watch. Introduced in 1932, it was created during one of the most challenging periods in the manufacture's history, shortly after the Stern family acquired Patek Philippe amid the Great Depression. The Calatrava embodied a new design philosophy—one of timeless elegance and understated sophistication—that would come to define the brand. Its minimalist aesthetic was heavily inspired by the German Bauhaus movement, embracing the principle that "form follows function." Every element was reduced to its purest expression, resulting in a watch whose restrained design remains as relevant today as it was nearly a century ago. The model takes its name from the Calatrava Cross, the medieval emblem adopted by Patek Philippe as its official trademark in 1887. More than ninety years after its introduction, the Calatrava remains one of the most influential dress watches ever created and continues to serve as the benchmark for elegant watch design. Offered here is a mid-1960s Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 3470 in 18k yellow gold. Its elegant 30 mm case features straight lugs, a small winding crown, and a snap-on case back, creating the perfectly balanced proportions that define vintage Calatravas. The silver soleil dial is beautifully understated, featuring painted black Roman numerals, fine non-luminous baton hands, and a clean, uncluttered layout without luminous material. Together, these details perfectly capture the understated elegance for which the Calatrava has become renowned. The watch is paired with one of our Bulang and Sons leather straps and is fitted with its original 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle. Inside beats the ultra-thin hand-wound calibre 175, a movement celebrated for its elegant construction and reliability. It has been fully serviced by our watchmaker and is ready to be enjoyed for many years to come. There is something quietly captivating about a vintage Calatrava. Free from unnecessary distractions, it simply does everything right. This reference 3470 is no exception and is ready to be enjoyed by its next owner. Specifications: Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 3470 30 mm 18k yellow gold case with thin bezel and snap back case back Silver soleil dial with black Roman numerals and non-lumed hands Movement no. 113xxxx/ Case no. 318xxxx dating to 1965 Non lumed stick hands Bulang and sons leather strap , original Patek ' 18k gold pin buckle Cal. 175 hand wound movement Fully serviced by our watchmaker