PATEK PHILIPPE YELLOW GOLD MANUAL CALATRAVA AND GOLDEN ELLIPSE DIAMOND FOLDING CLASP, REF. 3796J AND REF. 9610/1J

You might actually buy this watch for its buckle — this ref. 3796J was found with a ref. 9610/1J Patek Philippe Ellipse diamond and 18k gold folding clasp on it and we decided to keep it on the watch. Finding such a classic Calatrava with such an extravagant buckle tells a story in itself. I think I am going to dub this watch the ‘Mullet Calatrava’ — when it is on your wrist it is serious on the front and party on the back.

The ref. 3796 was launched in 1982 as a replacement for the long running ref. 96. The ref. 3796 features a sapphire crystal and the celebrated caliber 215 PS. The gold cases were made by Atelier Réunis and the dials by Stern Frères — it is the quintessential Patek Philippe for the wrist of a man or a woman.

For point of reference, in 1982 the ref. 3796J had a retail price of 5200 CHF and the ref. 9610/1J diamond folding clasp had a retail asking price of 6800 CHF.