1980s Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 3796

Why This Watch Matters This Patek Philippe Calatrava carries on the legacy of one of the greatest watch designs of the 20th century. The Full Story The Calatrava is all about understated elegance executed at the highest level. Patek Philippe has been responsible for creating this beautiful, dressy design since the 1930s, starting with the ref. 96. But today, let's take a look at the ref. 3796 in 18k yellow gold. It measures about 30.5mm in diameter, a size that may seem on the smaller side. And yet, the lugs are slightly elongated and gently curved to give it a larger presence on the wrist than the numbers lead you to expect. The polished finish on the top and bottom of the lugs and the satin finish on the sides and caseback demonstrate the care that went into the finishing of the case. The silver dial has a soft shimmery cream tone, which adds a lovely warmth to match the gold applied baton makers, the gold round dotted minute markers, and the sharp dauphine hands. The text is minimal