
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Patek Philippe Calatrava Steel Grey Dial - Extract Papers (Ref. 3509), 1967
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe (maker)
- Date
- 1967
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- steel
- Dimensions
- Case 33 mm
- Stock no.
- Product 8675050651831
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Huntington Company (product 8675050651831)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1967 Patek Philippe Calatrava Steel Grey Dial - Extract Papers (Ref. 3509) (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Huntington Company (dealer) (stock number Product 8675050651831), this is a wristwatch by Patek Philippe, made in Switzerland, dated 1967. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: steel. Recorded dimensions: Case 33 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Huntington Company
History and Significance When collectors think of the Calatrava, precious metals typically come to mind. That is exactly why this reference 3509 is so intriguing. Produced in stainless steel, it represents one of the rarer configurations within the Calatrava family while maintaining all of the understated elegance that has defined the collection for generations. Produced in 1967 and sold on May 27, 1968, this example is accompanied by its Extract from the Archives along with its original strap and original buckle. Its beautifully preserved gray brushed dial features painted white Roman numerals, creating a distinctive appearance that is seldom encountered on vintage Patek Philippe references. Adding to its rarity is the screw down case back, a feature not commonly associated with Calatravas from this era. Combined with the stainless steel case and exceptionally preserved dial, it creates a configuration that stands apart from the vast majority of vintage examples offered today. Writer’s Thoughts I have always appreciated the watches that quietly surprise people, and this reference does exactly that. At first glance, it looks like a classic Calatrava, but there is a lot that makes this pretty special. The stainless-steel case immediately sets it apart from most vintage Calatravas, while the brushed gray dial gives the watch an entirely different personality from the traditional silver or white examples. Add the screw-down case back, the original strap and buckle, and the Extract from the Archives, and you have a watch that feels genuinely uncommon. It is exactly the kind of piece that becomes more interesting the deeper you dive into it. Our Promise Every watch is thoroughly vetted, carefully described with complete transparency, and guaranteed authentic. Each piece is offered in honest condition, ensuring collectors receive a timepiece that reflects both originality and integrity. Specifications Brand: Patek Philippe Model: Calatrava Reference: 3509 Year: 1967 Case Material: Stainless Steel Case Size: 33mm Dial: Gray Brushed Dial with Painted White Roman Numerals Movement: Patek Philippe Manual Wind Strap/Bracelet: New strap and original Patek Philippe Leather Strap Buckle/Clasp: Original Patek Philippe Buckle Contents: Extract from the Archives Condition Case: The stainless steel case shows signs of polish but remains in excellent overall condition, with honest signs of wear consistent with careful ownership. The uncommon screw-down case back remains well preserved. Dial: The original gray brushed dial is in exceptional condition with an evenly preserved finish and crisp painted Roman numerals. Hands: The original hands remain in excellent condition with a matching finish and clean surfaces. Crystal: The crystal is clean and presents beautifully with only minor signs of use. Strap/Bracelet: The watch retains its original Patek Philippe leather strap, showing light wear. Buckle/Clasp: The original Patek Philippe buckle remains in excellent condition with honest signs of use consistent with the rest of the watch.
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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