Patek Philippe Calatrava Dress Watch Ref. 2533

The Patek Philippe Ref. 2533 from the 1950s (Production period from 1952 to 1956) is a quietly elegant expression of mid-century watchmaking at its finest. Housed in a svelte 34mm yellow gold case, it showcases Patek’s signature balance of proportion, restraint, and detail. This reference is notable for being among the early automatic models, powered by the esteemed Caliber 23SC—an innovation that marked a turning point in the brand’s technical evolution. Its subtle dial layout, feuille hands, and applied indices speak to a period when design was driven by refinement rather than flash. The 2533 is a pretty rare opportunity if you’d like to wear a milestone from Patek’s golden era.

Category:

Description

Why it stands out:
– Beefy 34mm yellow gold screw down case.
– Powered by Patek’s Caliber 27SC.

What you should know:
– Reprinted dial.
– Later strap / buckle.

General information:
Offered at 60% of its retail market value due to the reprinted dial, this piece represents outstanding value for any dress watch collector. The dial has been professionally refinished, accurately capturing the original color, finish, and layout. In our opinion, only the Patek Philippe signature appears slightly off. The two scratches at the lower half are located on the plexi crystal, not the dial.

The robust 34mm case wears larger than expected, thanks to its wide bezel in contrast with the smaller dial. The case shows to have been polished in the past yet retaining its thick case and kinked lugs. One of the lugs shows the three last digits of the case serial number as highlighted in the listing pictures. Screw down case back shows scratches due to wear, nothing unusual.

Striking blued steel central sweep seconds hand. Both the hour/minute hands and the applied hour markers show an attractive warm tone. Powering the watch is the exceptional Caliber 27SC running at 18,000 vibrations per hour with a 48-hour power reserve. The movement showcases attractive Geneva striping (côtes de Genève) and finishing of the highest quality.
Included with the watch is a leather Patek Philippe travel pouch.

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Thank you for your interest.

Additional information

Manufacturer

Patek Philippe

Dimensions

34mm

Reference

2533

Material

18K Yellow Gold

Year

1950s

Model

Calatrava

Movement

Hand Wound