Released in 1932 and named after the cross that the Calatrava Knights paraded around Spain and Portugal during the 12th and 13th centuries, the Patek Philippe Calatrava was released as a simple timepiece with broad appeal that would help secure Patek Philippe's finances following Jean and Charles Henri Stern's investment in the brand in the same year. Designed with a strict Bauhaus-inspired aesthetic in mind, the Calatrava used, and continues to use, simplicity as its means of establishing intrigue around the craftsmanship required to construct such a stunning timepiece. Without a complicated movement or a busy design, collectors gravitate towards the Calatrava's clean aesthetic and practicality, and the ref. 2420 that we have here embodies that same design language perfectly. Launched in the early 1940s and produced across the early 1950s, the ref. 2420 subscribes to the Calatrava’s signature construction style but with a few subtle twists. Featuring a large for the time 35mm round case, it boasts rather unusual stepped “crab” or “claw” lugs. On top of that, it also features a recessed crown that give its large case a slightly neater presence on the wrist than it would otherwise have. Made of 18kt rose gold, this example is an esteemed “pink-on-pink” example, with its 18kt rose gold case matching its vertically-brushed salmon pink, or copper, dial, which is complete with black applied indices and Arabic numerals. Powered by the manual-wind cal. 10-200 the resulting aesthetic is that of style, substance, and luxury.

A rare pink-on-pink Calatrava in a large size at 35mm with unique stepped "crab" lugs, the ref. 2420 is a wonderful watch for anyone with an interest in mid-century dress watches, and especially rare and unusual Calatravas.