Patek Philippe Calatrava Disco Volante 3459G

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Paired with a white gold bracelet, the Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 3459G Disco Volante is the epitome of 70s minimalism and elegance.

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This is the Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 3459G. Founded in 1839, Patek Philippe is a name synonymous with high horology. A company that has always been privately owned, Patek has been manufacturing watches for almost two centuries without interruption. The company is currently owned by the Stern family, whose heritage dates to when they were supplying dials to Patek in the 1920s. Incidentally, the Calatrava was also the first model released by the Stern family as the staple time-only watch in the brand’s collection.

To understand the Calatrava, one must revisit the roots of the model with the reference 96. The first Calatrava was also the debut of the brand’s first in-house caliber, the cal. 920. Produced over a 40-year span, the 96 would set the foundations of all future Calatravas. Dimunitive, minimalist and dressy, these characteristics would go on to define the future references within the line as the brand’s flagship dress piece. The reference 570 was released during the same period as the 96 with a larger case size, though the smaller case size was more favourable during that period. With the success of the 96, Patek Philippe would go on to produce a variety of Calatravas including the 3459 in the 1960s.

A distinctive aesthetic from the mid 20th century, the Disco Volante design was adopted by several brands including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin as a variation of their time-only offerings. Named after the Italian word for Flying Saucer, the Disco Volante was often defined by several characteristics including its thinness, the wide bezel and hidden lugs.Introduced in 1960, the reference 3459G is a lesser-known but no less interesting member of the Disco Volante family. Featuring a two-part white gold bezel housed in a 32mm case, the watch has thickness of only 7mm, enabled by the use of the ultra-thin Patek Philippe Cal. 23-300. Typical of the Disco Volante, the reference features hidden lugs, enhancing the “flying saucer” aesthetic. The minimalist case design is matched by the silvered dial with silver stick hands and dot indices.With the resurgence in popularity of vintage Calatravas, the 3459 remains a hidden gem from the vintage catalogue.

A study in minimalism, the reference represents a transition between the classic and dressy Calatravas of the 1950s and the unconventional references of the 1970s. Monochromatic and understated, it carries the true essence of Patek Philippe’s classic dress watch.