Today's auction showcases this very rare and beautiful Patek Philippe ref. 534R watch. It is a rarely seen reference made at the time that the company was building its iconic Calatrava watches.

It features a very pleasing "Empire" case design made by Antoine Gerlach for Patek. It is the same diameter as the legendary ref. 96, except with longer, more graceful lugs and bezel that is so thin that the watch feels as if it is all dial from its front profile.

It is as rare as it is beautiful.

Manufacture of reference 534 was launched in 1937 and was available in yellow or rose gold and in stainless steel. Only a couple of handfuls of 534's in any metal have thought to come up for public sale. This is the second one we have owned - the previous one nearly a decade and a half ago.

Ours comes with a black dial that has a semi-sector design that has previously been refinished and presents beautifully.

Powering it is its illustrious Patek Philippe 12 ligne movement, unquestionably among the finest hand-winding movements ever built, and the same movement that powers the 96.

Extremely high grade, it has eight adjustments - five for chronometer positions and three for heat, cold, and even isochronism. Isochronism is the amount of wind left in the movement. Most watches slow down slightly as their power reserve moves toward empty. That is not the case with this watch - it is very high-grade.

Its elegant 18K rose gold Empire case presents in very condition with signs of previous polishing. On the wrist it presents beautifully. Its black semi-sector dial with pink gilt printing has previously been refinished and is very clean.

One of our Master Watchmakers has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $795 value). It is keeping very accurate time.

For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a brand new Teju lizard strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a timing certificate attesting to its performance. Also included is a Certificate of Authenticity from eBay's new professional authentication team (an $80 value)

• Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Movement no.: 829,051
• Case no.: 295,407
• Year built: c. 1939
• Model: Ref. 534R
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: 18K rose gold
• Case markings (inside): Patek Philippe & Co, Geneve, 295,407, 18K
• Case condition: Very good condition with signs of previous significant polishing. One scratch on the side of a lug. Otherwise presents scratch-free.
• Dimensions: 32.5mm including crown), 37.5mm long lug tip-to-tip, 9mm thick
• Dial: Matte black with gilt printing and semi-sector design, signed Patek Philippe, applied rose gold baton indexes, subsidiary seconds dial, previously refinished, very clean
• Hands: Original, rose gold "feuilles"
• Movement type: High grade, Cal. 12’’’-120, rhodium-plated, “fausses côtes” decoration, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance adjusted for heat, cold isochronism and 5 positions, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator, 8 adjustments
• Movement markings: Patek Philippe and Co., Swiss, Geneve, No. 829,051, Eighteen (18) Jewels, Adjusted Five (5) Positions, Three (3) Heat, Cold, Isochronism
• Band: Teju lizard, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with unsigned buckle
• Width between lugs: 18mm
• Crystal: Acrylic, excellent condition
• Servicing: One of our Master Watchmakers has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $795 value).
• Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is keeping very accurate time. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center and also has done authorized work for the Richemont brands including Cartier, Vacheron & Constantin, IWC, JLC and others.
• Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time Box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; Certificate of Authenticity from eBay's new professional authenticiation team (an $80 value)
• Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide