Rare 1950s Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 2511 'Empire' model, with unique design, fluted lugs, and pyramid indexes in rose or yellow gold. | Patek Philippe

The “Empire” Calatrava

The Patek Philippe Ref. 2511 is one of the largest and rarest of the 1950s Calatrava models.

The 36.5 mm case has a signature “empire” style with fluted lugs and case flanks.

The dial features very particular dots & pyramid indexes at 3 and 9 o'clock (which can also be found on the rare and important Ref. 2458).

Very few examples are known: less than 15, all in rose or yellow gold.

The watch is powered by manual-wind caliber 12-400. The case was made by Dubois & Cie in Le Locle and the dial was made by Stern Frères.

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Best, Emmanuel

A/ ROSE GOLD

1/ Example retailed and signed by Freccero

credit: The Watch House

2/ Example owned by @ken20220222

credit: @ken20220222

3/ Example presented by Gary Haftel aka @exposingtimeinc

credit: @exposingtimeinc

4/ Example presented by Le Muse Watches, Milano

credit: Le Muse Watches

5/ Example with unfortunately over polished lugs sold recently by Antiquorum

Look how badly the lugs have been polished !

credit: @timvaux

B/ YELLOW GOLD

1/ Extraordinary bracelet example sold by Christie's in 2024

credit: @stoneriverwatches

2/ Example with dauphine hands, faceted indexes and a double index at 12 o'clock instead of an Arabic 12

The only other example with such hands and indexes belongs to the Patek Philippe Museum and bears the Serpico y Laino retail signature.