Introduction
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. 2533J we have here embodies that same design language perfectly. Launched in 1952 alongside the ref. 2532, to replace the ref. 565, it features a large 34.5mm case instead of the 31mm used by the ref. 96 and other dress watches at the time, and large dauphine hands. Designed as a sportier watch, it features a screw-down caseback that it took from the ref. 565 and thus offers its wearer some water resistance, making it far more capable than most other dress watches at the time. Still practical for a modern collector, the ref. 2533 merges the Calatrava's original design brief in its purest form with a diameter that contemporary collectors can enjoy to this very day.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
V 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch only
Est. value range
$15,000 – $25,000
The Details
Brand
Patek Philippe
Dimensions
34.5mm
Model
Calatrava
Movement
Manual-wind cal. 27 SC
Reference
2533
Bracelet
Leather strap
Year
Circa 1950s
Condition
Excellent
Material
18kt yellow gold
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Beige
THE DIAL
Boasting a warm beige dial, the ref. 2533's huge dauphine hands and applied sword-shaped indices dominate its display, with its Gubelin signature at 6 o'clock serving as a subtle distinction between a regular production ref. 2533, and this particularly rare example.
THE CONSTRUCTION
While 1mm smaller than its predecessor, the ref. 565, the ref. 2533 was still large for its time at 34.5mm case diameter, and thus features a rather contemporary fit on the wrist.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in overall excellent condition. The yellow gold case shows light surface scratches and marks, with soft edges. The rears of the lugs retain well-defined hallmarks and stamps. The decagonal case back displays some surface scratches. The Calatrava cross-embossed winding crown remains in excellent condition. The Gübelin double-signed dial retains crisp text and shows a couple of marks in the upper half, along with some pink-hued patches across the surface, as well as some aging around the 6 o'clock index. It is fitted with a black lizard strap and a yellow gold pin buckle, both remaining in excellent condition.
Please Note: Due to CITES considerations, if the watch is to be shipped outside of the USA, the exotic skin strap will have to be removed.
Our Perspective
Blending tremendously modern technology for the time with a classically-informed design language, the ref. 2533J is a wonderfully contained package that easily fits within the modern horological landscape, and especially when boasting desirable traits such as a co-signature like this example.
Justin Gruenberg
Co-founder
