Patek Philippe Calatrava IOS Yellow Gold Ref. 3565/1, 1968-1971

Price upon request

Identity

Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 3565/1, produced between 1968 and 1971. Automatic movement, oscillating mass engraved with the Calatrava Cross. 18-carat yellow gold case, 35 mm diameter, signed Calatrava crown. Champagne satiné dial, black enamel Roman numerals, black baton hands, IOS logo at 6 o'clock, date aperture at 3 o'clock. Plexiglas crystal. 18-carat yellow gold Milanese mesh bracelet with soldered edges and signed Patek Philippe buckle clasp. Case back engraved « Million Dollar Associate » around the IOS logo.

Horological context

The Calatrava was introduced by Patek Philippe in 1932 with the reference 96, designed according to the principles of Bauhaus restraint: round case, sober dial, applied indexes. It became the archetype of the Patek dress watch and gave its name to a lineage still in the manufacture's catalogue today. The name comes from the Spanish Order of the Knights of Calatrava, whose cross serves as Patek Philippe's emblem. The Ref. 3565, launched in the late 1960s, offered an automatic variant with an integrated gold bracelet — a gold sport declension that preceded the Nautilus of 1976.

Character

Collector's piece produced by Patek Philippe on special commission for the American wealth management firm Investors Overseas Services (IOS), between 1968 and 1971. Intended for representatives who had exceeded one million dollars in annual sales — the Million Dollar Associates —, it bears the IOS logo on the dial at 6 o'clock and the engraving « Million Dollar Associate » on the case back. IOS, founded by Bernie Cornfeld in the 1950s, was one of the most successful investment firms of its time before its spectacular collapse in 1970-1971.

Watch serviced. Very good condition. Delivered with a Contre-Temps box and the Contre-Temps 24-month warranty certificate.