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 2532 & 2533 from Patek Philippe 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

Reference 2533 Patek Philippe with Breguet Numerals

    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.