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. 2568 we have here embodies that same design language perfectly. Launched in the early 1950s, the ref. 2568 was a rather unique version of the Calatrava with a 33mm case instead of the 32mm typically used. Designed differently to other Calatrava variants, the ref. 2568 boasts faceted hooded lugs that give the watch an entirely different profile on the wrist. Still practical for a modern collector, the ref. 2568 merges the Calatrava's original design brief in its purest form with a design that contemporary collectors can enjoy to this very day thanks to how subtly unusual and different it is. Made of 18kt yellow gold, this example was originally retailed by Cartier, as denoted by its co-signed dial and Cartier stock numbers stamped onto the read of its lug.

Watch is in overall excellent condition. The yellow gold case is well defined, with some small nicks and scratches visible primarily on case edges and back of lugs as expected of a watch of this vintage. The case back has a personal engraving, while the hallmarks and stock numbers on the lug backs remain fully legible. The Calatrava cross crown is still well defined. The dial shows some light surface spotting but retains crisp text, including the Cartier retailer signature. It is fitted with a leather strap in good condition and a worn gold-plated buckle. Comes with Cartier pouch.

A balanced and novel take on one of watchmaking's most historically important wristwatches with a stylistic twist, the ref. 2568 forms a unique part of the Calatrava's historic legacy, and with this co-signed dial featuring the name of two of watchmaking's biggest brands, this example is all the more historic.