Patek Philippe Calatrava

First presented in 1932 with the Reference 96, the Patek Philippe Calatrava is the benchmark for classic men’s dress watches. The groundbreaking reference set the stage for nearly every piece Patek has released since, and became the blueprint for other brands’ approaches to classy men’s timepieces. Heavily influenced by the Bauhaus design philosophy, the Calatrava was then considered extremely modern with its minimalist, ‘less is more’ approach to watch design. Over the years, the dressy Calatrava has evolved, but the look remains unmistakable and iconic, and its rich history provides the vintage and pre-owned enthusiast with a variety of choices in metals, sizes, and tiny details to obsess over. This particular example, a Reference 3796, is a delight for male collectors seeking a more minimal presence or for a lady who enjoys a beautiful mid-sized, hand-wound watch. Dating to circa the 1990s, it features a perfectly sized 31mm 18K yellow gold case with a smooth bezel, a signed crown, and a sapphire crystal. Its silvered dial with applied gold 'wedge' indices, an outer gold 'dot' minute track, a gold 'dauphine' handset, and a subtle sub-seconds display above 6 o'clock is the picture of pared-back style. Powered the manually wound Calibre 215 movement and paired to a brown alligator leather strap with a yellow gold pin buckle, it truly epitomizes what Patek Philippe is most known for — understated elegance and delicate finishing. Don't sleep on one of the last-generation Calatrava references with true midcentury looks!