What little detail can change the overall vibe from dressy to sporty? Putting a center-second vs. a sub-second dial layout next to each other and you will immediately see how the appearance of otherwise identical timepieces will change. This is the topic of the third edition of my Patek Philippe Calatrava guide - a list that's meant to educate and get the community involved.
May 16, 2023
The Sporty Calatrava - Vintage Patek Philippe Center-Second Reference Guide
Marcus Siems @siemswatches
Collector, Author, Data Analyst
Reference Guide & Database:
Rolex Chronographs 1940s-50s - Pre-Daytona - Daytona
Patek Philippe Sub-Second - Center-Second - Shaped Watches
Patek Philippe is mainly known fro its extremely elegant and timeless designs. But what little detail can change the overall vibe from dressy to sporty? Putting a center-second vs. a sub-second dial layout next to each other and you will immediately see how the appearance of otherwise identical timepieces will change.
Sister references from Patek Philippe: The dressy 2532 (left) & the sportier 2533 (right). The same case-maker, proportions, and overall design yet one with sub- and the other with center-second... Photo Courtesy of Monaco Legend Group.
Here, I'll try to lay the foundation for a community driven database for the rare, the rarely seen and the rarely remembered timepieces that do not get the attention that other pieces might get. I'd be more than happy for everyone who sees him/herself fit to share and to add information about what we love - vintage watches. This is not an exhaustive list, yet(!) but I want it to become a central resource for everyone finding their way into vintage watches, from novice to expert.
This is the third edition for the Patek Philippe time-only (Calatrava in a loose definition) timepieces. So enjoy the eye candy and hopefully you can learn a thing or two about what makes these pieces so special, rare and sought after.
Center-Second Patek Philippe References
Ref. 1491
Period: 1940-65
Production: 400
Movement: Manual (cal. 12 SC)
Specifics: Lyre Lugs, 1 prototype Chronograph
Source: Chr Dubai Mar. 2019
Ref. 1527 - 2nd series
Period: 1942-50
Production: 12* steel
Movement: Manual (cal. 12 SC)
Specifics: Crown-guard, 1st series with sub-second
Source: Chr Geneva Nov. 2018
Ref. 2457
Period: 1949-58
Production: 6* steel
Movement: Manual (cal. 27 SC)
Specifics: hinged lugs (32mm)
Source: Chr HK May 2023
Ref. 2460
Period: 1950-55
Production: 9* (8* YG, 1* RG)
Movement: Manual (cal. 27 SC)
Specifics: edgy hinged lugs, sister 2457 (32mm)
Source: Collector Square
Ref. 2466
Period: 1950-55
Production: 9* (8* YG, 1* RG)
Movement: Manual (cal. 27 SC)
Specifics: larger 2457 & 2460 (33mm)
Source: Collector Square
Ref. 2481 - King Size
Period: 1950-60
Production: 1001 (650 YG, 350 RG, 1* PT)
Movement: Manual (cal. 27 SC)
Specifics: Largest PP (37mm)
Source: Chr HK May 2021
Ref. 2482
Period: 1950-60
Production: 28* (27* YG, 1*RG)
Movement: Manual (cal. 27 SC)
Specifics: Spider Lugs, Large (36mm)
Source: Collector Square
Ref. 2508
Period: 1951-60
Production: ~1000, 27* RG (rarest metal), 100 steel (~10% steel)
Movement: Manual (cal. 27 SC)
Specifics: playful marker, Taubert case (34.5mm)
Source: Phi Geneva May 2023, Chr Geneva Nov. 2015, Chr Geneva Nov. 2016, Hairspring Watches
Ref. 2533
Period: 1952-56
Production: 400 (300 YG, 100 RG)
Movement: Manual (cal. 27 SC)
Specifics: sister 2532, successor to ref. 565
Source: Chr HK Nov. 2020
Ref. 2555
Period: 1954-56
Production: 39
Movement: Manual (cal. 27 SC)
Specifics: classic ref. 96 proportions
Source: Phi HK June 2021
Ref. 3483
Period: 1963-65
Production: 19* (only steel)
Movement: Manual (cal. 27 SC)
Specifics: only produced in steel
Source: Phi Geneva Nov. 2016
* The asterisk indicates a lower bound for production numbers. It indicates known examples - thus more pieces or pieces in other materials may (likely) exist.
Patek Philippe Movements - Manually Wound Center-Second
You can find all this information on Uhren-Wiki
12 ligne (22.5mm):
Cal. 27 SC - 12,879 pieces (1946-70) - in ref. 2457, 2460, 2466, 2467, 2481, 2482, 2508, 2514, 2555, 3483
All Rights on the text and graphics reserved to the Author.
4 comments
Hey Hazem, well spotted. The ref. 570 shouldn’t be missed on any list (either Sub- or Center-Second). However, this is the attempt to catalogue rare references with known or estimated production volume. It’s unfortunately close to impossible to get such an estimate on the ref. 570.
Cheers, Marcus
Marcus on
What about the ref. 570?? :)
Hazem on
Hey Paul, thanks for your input. The 3444 is indeed an extremely cool example but this list (and the ones before) were meant to cover the manually wound pieces first.
I’ll actually drop another article particularly about cal. 12-600 watches soon. Until then: we’re looking at about 200 ref. 3444 produced ;)
Cheers, Marcus
Marcus on
Hi Marcus,
how about the Ref. 3444? In my eyes a lovely self winding Calatrava.
Sincerly Paul
Paul on