Released in 1969 and produced for over a short five year run until 1974, the Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 3579 reflects Patek’s desire to expand beyond their typical design language and experiment with a new style of watchmaking, perhaps most evident in the release of the Nautilus 2 years following the discontinuation of the ref. 3579. A wonderful marriage between typical sporty design and Patek’s refined elegance, the ref. 3579 features a 34mm cushion-shaped case with an intriguing blend of polished and brushed surfaces that give it a truly versatile aesthetic that also benefits from the fact it is made of stainless steel – a rare material for Patek to choose, especially in Patek’s pre-Nautilus era. In fact, the ref. 3579’s stainless steel case positions it as one of the foundational references that enabled Patek Philippe to broaden their catalog with other steel watches. Manually wound and powered by the cal. 23-300 that is secured by a screw-down caseback, the ref. 3579 is certainly not like the modern Patek Philippe timepieces we see today. Supposedly produced for the Japanese market and with a rumoured 200 examples made, the ref. 3579 blends a unique design and rare construction material with an intriguing story that adds to its mystique, something Patek’s sought-after vintage offerings don’t typically have.

An obscure offering from Patek that we don't see very often, the ref. 3579 is an elegantly designed watch that would have largely departed from Patek's typical style when it was released. No doubt, it was a risk at the time, but now it has given us a stunning watch that collectors lust after.