Arguably the company's most well-known vintage model, the Ref. 96, introduced in the 1930's, was Patek Philippe's first creation from the Calatrava collection. It is the original Calatrava...a true classic, occupying a prestigious place among the great wristwatches of the 19th century.

Featuring an elegant, understated face and beautiful case, the watch showcases sleek lines and subtle elegance, expressing artistic originality at its very finest. As Patek Philippe aptly describes, "These inimitably elegant men's watches are impervious to short-lived trends, recapturing the hearts of each new generation."

While most 96's came with silver dials Patek also made them with gloss black dial. These are much rarer and more desirable than the silver dial examples.

We purchased an incredibly impressive collection of sixteen special Pateks and Rolexes including this one from a doctor who was a collector's collector - a gentleman with tremendous knowledge, discerning taste, a disciplined eye for detail. Each rare watch has its original buckle and many have original boxes.

This awesome black dialed 96 is fully original down to the dial, hour and minute hands, winding crown and 18K buckle.

Its elegant, 18K gold Calatrava case is in excellent condition. Its original and untouched black dial is near mint plus. And its high-grade, Patek Philippe movement is running strong and true.

Photos of the inside available upon request.

For the finishing touch the original buckle has been fitted to a Patek band making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Accompanying it is its Patek box and Extract from the Archives attesting to its originality.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.

A wonderful, brief article (.pdf format) on the Reference 96 can be found on-line here.

• Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Serial no.: 920,576
• Year built: 1941
• Model: Ref. 96 Calatrava
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: 18K gold
• Case markings (inside): Patek Philippe & Co, Geneve, Swiss, 0.750, 296,842
• Case markings (outside): Engraved with a family seal - we were told by the collector we purchased it from that he it was purchased from the original owner's family and that was their seal.
• Case condition: Excellent
• Dimensions: 30.5mm wide (excluding crown), 38.5mm long lug tip-to-tip 
• Dial: Gloss black with applied gold baton indexes, outer minute dots, sunk guilloché subsidiary dial for the seconds, original, near mint plus condition
• Hands: Original, gold, "feuilles"
• Movement type: Cal. 12’’’-120, rhodium-plated, “fausses côtes” decoration, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator
• Movement markings: Patek, Philippe & Co., Eighteen (18) Jewels, Adjusted Five (5) Positions, Three (3) Heat, Cold, Isochromism, Geneve, Swiss
• Band: Patek Philippe, fully stitched, padded, very good condition only fairly lightly worn, equipped with its original correct olds style 18K Patek Philippe buckle
• Width between lugs: 18mm
• Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition
• Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. 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 experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
• Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details
• Box/Papers: BOX - Patek box; PAPERS - Extract from the Patek Archives; New timing certificate
• 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