First presented in 1932 with the Reference 96, the Patek Philippe Calatrava is the benchmark for classic mens dress watches. The groundbreaking reference set the stage for nearly every piece Patek has released since, and became the blueprint for other brands approaches to classy mens timepieces. Heavily influenced by the Bauhaus design philosophy, the Calatrava was then considered extremely modern with its minimalist, less is more approach to watch design.

In the years since 1932, Patek has released dozens of Calatrava references, each with its own idiosyncrasies. Almost all share the underlying DNA of the 96, prioritizing subtle elegance above all else.

This particular Calatrava, Reference 3569G is a really rare combination of elements for Patek. First, the dial, instead of being flat matte, features a hammered dial. This makes for a really cool finish. Furthermore, instead of a traditional winding style, this is a backwind Patek, controlled by a small crown on the reverse side of the watch.

Between the backwind functionality and the hammered dial, this is not your run of the mill Calatrava. I think when you buy iconic watch designs, having this extra bit of interest helps the watch stand out from the crowd a bit. Plus, these combinations are few and far between, especially in great condition. This is a true rarity in the world of vintage Patek Philippe.