Ninety-six. Even the reference number is simple and clean. Introduced in 1932, the Patek Philippe reference 96 “Calatrava” was its first serially produced wristwatch, and the Stern family’s first major project after acquiring the manufacture. For decades, collectors have pursued the ref. 96 for its elegance and restraint, for its experimental phases and its wide-ranging … Continued
On March 7, 2025, Jean-Pierre Hagmann died at the age of 84. His passing was a huge loss to the world of horology. Although he may not be a household name, he was the world’s most gifted individual case maker, with a talent we may never see again. For collectors of fine Swiss watches, to … Continued
Collectability is thrilled to share the story behind the story of the infamous ‘Gondolo Gang’ photograph. Watch writer and historian Carlos Torres has conducted extensive research and found a treasure trove of information about the photograph, who took it, when and why. The image below captures a meticulously arranged outdoor gathering where a group of … Continued
Collectability is excited to launch its first ever collaboration watch: a limited edition Dennison watch. For Collectability to put its name to a modern watch, it must be something special — and this watch is. It combines an unusual shape with quality production at an attractive price. We are so happy to put our name … Continued
If you walked into a Patek Philippe retailer in 1950 or 1970 and asked for a “Calatrava,” the sales associate would look at you more sideways than a Gilbert Albert Ricochet. The term “Calatrava” was a marketing creation of the mid-1980s, coming to loosely mean a round Patek Philippe dress watch. It emerged just as … Continued
Imagine you’re a watch collector in 2000, on the hunt for the ultimate vintage Patek Philippe: a ref. 2499 perpetual calendar chronograph, made from 1951 until 1985. After an exhaustive search, you end up with a ref. 2499 from the 1960s. At about 40 years old, there’s no denying it’s a real, vintage Patek Philippe. … Continued
Some of you reading this may be lucky enough to own one, or maybe even several Patek Philippe vide-poches dishes. These beautiful, trinket dishes are released once a year as an end-of-year Holiday gift for VIP clients and friends of the brand. Each year, a dish will feature a Patek Philippe timepiece, usually a decorated … Continued
The history of the officer watch is the history of the wristwatch. The officer-style case originates from the fact that early wristwatches were originally pocket watches, or ladies’ pendant watches, that were strapped to the wrist, initially by officers during World War I. At this time, trench warfare and the use of artillery relied on … Continued
“In 2005, we decided to create a new concept of advanced research. The idea behind this concept was to show the world all the watchmaking knowledge and mastery of Patek Philippe.” Thierry Stern, President. There is nothing simple about Patek Philippe’s Advanced Research as every new revolutionary innovation that the company creates will change the … Continued
One of the most common questions Collectability receives from new Patek Philippe watch enthusiasts is, “Which Patek should I buy first?” The easy answer is a time-only Calatrava. The next question is, “Which one?” Since the arrival of the Calatrava ref. 96 in 1932, there have been many different Calatrava references, each with a myriad … Continued
Launched at the Basel Watch Fair in 1999, the ref. 5099RG immediately stood out as something of a departure for Patek Philippe. The Cabriolet case design, made of 18K white and rose gold was a master class in elegance and sophistication. This was a case that most people had never seen before; however, eagle-eyed visitors … Continued
When Patek Philippe launched the Golden Ellipse ref. 5738/1R-001 at this year’s Watches & Wonders, the company took as much pride in presenting the craftsmanship involved with the making of the new bracelet as the watch itself. It even patented the bracelet’s construction which to quote the website, “made it possible to recreate the style … Continued
