This rare Patek Philippe is less expensive than you might think
Published on Oct 13, 2022 at 4:43 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Oct 13, 2022 at 4:44 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This is ‘The Pearl of the Arabian Gulf’, one of the most beautiful Patek Philippe watches ever made and it’s currently up for auction.
Available from Christie’s Dubai, The Pearl of the Arabian Gulf is less expensive than you might think.
READ MORE: One collector is selling their insane collection of 128 Patek Philippe watches worth millions
It’s a one-off, or a ‘pièce unique‘ if you want to use the correct watch jargon.
It was made by Patek Philippe on commission, and it is based on the brand’s iconic ‘Calatrava’ model from the 1958.
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However, as you can see from the pictures, this timepiece has very little in common with the Calatrava ref. 2573 (below) on which it was based.
Patek had to modify the watch in a number of ways to accommodate the pearls.
The standard case was replaced with a slightly thicker one and a taller bezel.
Both are made from 18k yellow gold, as is the integrated bracelet.
The bracelet was actually made by Gay Frères, Switzerland’s best-known bracelet specialist.
The dial is also made of gold and it features seed pearl hour makers for every indice with the exception of the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock.
Some say this watch actually provided the inspiration for the ref. 2573 ‘Pearl of Bahrain’ watches in rose gold commissioned by the King of Bahrain.
The Pearl Patek Philippe is now on display at Dubai International Financial Centre and available from Christie’s Dubai.
The watch has been given a pre-sale estimate of $150,000 – $300,000, with a starting bid of $100,000.
Quite frankly, it feels like this could end up fetching more.
Partly because anything that says ‘Patek Philippe’ sells like hot cakes these days.
And also because, unlike other one-off timepieces, this is elegant and refined.
Bidding remains open until October 26.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
