Perhaps the most iconic dress watch collection ever, the Patek Philippe Calatrava embodies the very essence of what a classically-styled timepiece should look like. Creating the entire dress watch niche in 1932 when it was released, the Calatrava has become a mainstay within Patek Philippe’s offerings, but it has also been expanded over the years to include variants that don’t quite fit the description of a typical and traditional dress watch as one might imagine; with a yellow gold round case, a simple dial and leather strap. Indeed, the ref. 3588 that we have here is a departure from that aesthetic that instead features an 18kt white gold case with intricate engravings along its bezel, a rich blue dial that is appropriately free from any pieces of detail that don’t serve a distinct purpose and an integrated 18kt white gold bracelet that boasts an intricately woven construction and marks a significant move away from the leather straps that came to define the Calatrava collection. A unique watch within a collection that has been famously ubiquitous, the ref. 3588 that we have here is a quiet reminder that even Patek during the 1960s and 1970s were happy to experiment with design and break away from traditional norms – perhaps a direct foreshadowing of the Nautilus collection that was then later launched in 1976.

Watch is in near-mint condition showing little signs of wear. Dial near-mint with no visible marks or damage. Bracelet is approx. 8".

A beautiful watch, this example's striking blue dial is perfectly complemented by its 18kt white gold construction and charming aesthetic; both of which mark this ref. 3588 as a timepiece as a watch that any collector would be lucky to add to their collection.