Patek Philippe "Calatrava" Ref.
+14 % above RRP
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ℹ️ 1-month trend
Price change over the past 30 days. Shows the short-term market movement — relevant if you want to buy or sell soon.
ℹ️ 4-month trend
The central metric behind the momentum score. It filters out short-term swings and shows the true, medium-term market trend of this reference.
ℹ️ Volatility
Annualised price fluctuation. Below 10 % = very stable, 10–20 % = normal, above 20 % = volatile. With high volatility the price can change quickly — in both directions. Be cautious about buying without checking the current price.
ℹ️ Momentum score
ChronoCheck's own indicator from 0 to 100, calculated from the 4-month trend, volatility and market direction.
- Above 60 — Upward trend. Good time to sell, prices are rising.
- 40 – 60 — Neutral. Stable price level, no pressure to act.
- Below 40 — Downward trend. Wait or enter at a good price.
ℹ️ Investment Grade A/B/C/D
ChronoCheck's own rating for each reference. A 0–100 point scale, made up of four weighted components:
- Momentum (40 pts) — trend strength from the momentum score.
- Liquidity (25 pts) — number of active live listings.
- Stability (20 pts) — inverse volatility — the calmer, the better.
- Source robustness (15 pts) — number of independent market sources.
- A · 75+ Trend is right, liquidity good, data broad.
- B · 55–74 Solid, but one component weaker.
- C · 35–54 Average, volatility or market breadth weigh on it.
- D · below 35 Downward or too little data — a collector's piece.
Not investment advice. Pure data analysis from aggregated market sources.
The current market value of the Patek Philippe "Calatrava" Ref. (Ref. 2526) is $95,512. Last sold at auction: $56,425 (Phillips, 08/2025).
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Technical data
Patek Philippe Ref. 2526 — Variants and collector names
Known as: Porcellana, First Automatic, Golden Rule, Gobbi, Serpico
Production phases and changes
- 1953: Introduction of Ref. 2526 as the first automatic watch in PP history. Cal. 12-600 AT, 30 jewels, 19,800 vph, Gyromax balance wheel, Geneva Seal. 35.5mm case by Baumgartner (YG). First PP double-P crown in relief.
- 1955: Second Series: dial indices no longer pinned, instead set/glued.
- 1957: Third Series: caseback changed from domed to flat (screw-down flat).
- 1958: Fourth Series: luminous (radium) indices introduced in the flat caseback variants.
- 1960: End of production for Ref. 2526. Succeeded by Ref. 3428 with Cal. 27-460 (Côtes-de-Genève rotor instead of guilloché), visually nearly identical.
Movement variants
- 12-600 AT (?–today) · 19800 bph
Bezel variants
- 2526-Bezel-Smooth-Plat
- 2526-Bezel-Smooth-RG
- 2526-Bezel-Smooth-WG
- 2526-Bezel-Smooth-YG
Dial variants
- Black Porcellana — PATEK PHILIPPE / GENÈVE, bâton gold indices, no date. Extremely rare.
- Black Gobbi — PATEK PHILIPPE / GENÈVE / GOBBI / MILANO, bâton gold indices. Approx. 2 examples known, only 1 with a certified original extract. CHF 100,000 at Christie's Geneva, Nov. 2017.
- Black Lume Serpico — PATEK PHILIPPE / GENÈVE / SERPICO Y LAINO CARACAS, luminescent bâton gold indices on black enamel. Extremely rare combination; Christie's lot: movement 761'199, case 684'507, produced 1954.
- Diamond Dial White Gold — PATEK PHILIPPE / GENÈVE, diamond indices on white gold version. Approx. 7 known examples (of ~23 known WG-2526s).
- Golden Rule — DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU / TIFFANY & CO. Approx. 12 examples known; historically associated with U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson.
- Gobbi Milano — PATEK PHILIPPE / GENÈVE / GOBBI / MILANO, bâton gold indices
- Porcellana First Series — PATEK PHILIPPE / GENÈVE, bâton gold indices pinned in place, no date
- Porcellana Second Series — PATEK PHILIPPE / GENÈVE, bâton gold indices inlaid/glued, no date
- Porcellana Third Series — PATEK PHILIPPE / GENÈVE, bâton gold indices inlaid, no date
- Porcellana Fourth Series — PATEK PHILIPPE / GENÈVE, luminous bâton indices inlaid, no date
- Serpico y Laino — PATEK PHILIPPE / GENÈVE / SERPICO Y LAINO CARACAS, bâton gold indices. Caseback stamped S&L + 18K.
- Tiffany — PATEK PHILIPPE / GENÈVE / TIFFANY & CO., bâton gold indices
Crystal variants
- 2526-Plexi
Bracelet variants
- Gay Frères 18k Roségold-Gliederarmband, signiert 'Patek Philippe × Gay Frères' Ref. 2526-Bracelet-GayFreres-RG
- 18mm Krokodil-Lederband mit PP-Goldschließe (passend zur Gehäuselegierung) Ref. 2526-Strap-Leather-PP-Buckle
Serial numbers
- 760000 – 761699 (1953–1955) — Movement serials First Series (Cal. 12-600 AT). Confirmed by Christie's lot: movement 761'199 → case 684'507, production 1954.
- 761700 – 763999 (1955–1957) — Movement serials Second Series (Cal. 12-600 AT)
- 764000 – 767099 (1957–1960) — Movement serials Third + Fourth Series (Cal. 12-600 AT). Total production approx. 2,500–2,870 examples: ~2,350 YG, ~60 WG (23 known), ~60–70 platinum, remainder RG.
Brand profile: Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe produces the world's most exclusive watches. Counterfeits are typically identifiable by their build quality — the genuine article sets standards that are nearly impossible to replicate.
- Dial embossing Nautilus: the genuine piece has 11 RAISED horizontal stripes with precise edges. 3D depth is visible under raking light. Flat stripes = fake.
- Case thickness Nautilus 5711: EXACTLY 8.3mm measured with calipers. Deviation of +0.5mm = fake with 7750 base or Miyota.
- Weight Nautilus 5711/1A: 131.4g ± 1g (with bracelet). >5g deviation = suspect.
- PP Seal on rotor (display back): the genuine Patek Philippe Seal features DEEP 3D engraving with sharp edges. Fake rotors have a shallow stamp.
Serial number format: Patek serial numbers: 6–7-digit number on the caseback. Complete archive held by Patek Philippe — an extract can be ordered.
Further sources
Buying guide: Patek Philippe "Calatrava" Ref.
What matters at this price point
At $95,512 we are no longer talking about an everyday watch but a collector's piece. Every detail drives the price: an original dial can be worth five figures more than a service dial, missing papers noticeably depress the value, and an over-polished bezel is effectively lost money. Anyone buying in this range should take their time and, when in doubt, take a second look.
What to look out for when buying?
- Authenticity: The serial number and reference on the case must match the papers. A professional authenticity check of the Patek Philippe "Calatrava" Ref. reliably rules out counterfeits.
- Condition: Check scratches on the case and bezel — professional refurbishment can leave traces.
- Service history: A documented service by the manufacturer or a certified watchmaker increases the value.
- Scope of delivery: Box, papers and warranty card make a noticeable price difference on the "Calatrava" Ref..
- Independent certification: The CPS-52 standard covers 52 checkpoints — from the serial number and the timing machine to water resistance. The result is secured on the blockchain and can be verified at any time.
Check the market value live now
Interactive price analysis with momentum indicator and buy/sell signal.
Go to the market value tool →Auction results Patek Philippe "Calatrava" Ref. 2526
Recent hammer prices for this reference from international auction houses:
| Price | House | Date |
|---|---|---|
| $56,425 | Phillips | 08/2025 |
| $27,548 | Sotheby's | 06/2025 |
| $127,965 | Phillips | 05/2025 |
| $42,655 | Phillips | 05/2025 |
| $54,515 | Christie's | 05/2025 |