1941 Luxury Replica Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 96 with Black Dial in 18k Rose Gold
Popular within the enthusiast niche as of late, the UK high quality replica Patek Philippe reference 96 watches — the original Calatrava — remains a divisive watch still, 93 years after its introduction. The “cool” thing to do is like them (guilty as charged), while the more realistic among us might flinch at the 30.5mm case diameter. As a fan, I’ll stand up for the humble 96 in saying that the proportions are excellent. If you focus on that one measurement, I can see why you wouldn’t lust for this watch, but I beg you to try one on first. The 18mm lug width makes a serious difference.
Stepping down from the soapbox, the OG Calatrava was produced for nearly four decades, up until 1973, and served as the backbone of Patek’s simple round wristwatch offering. It is considered the brand’s first serially produced wristwatch and would go on to become emblematic of what makes dress cheap copy watches, well, a dress watch. I could continue to rant about the reference, but I assume my more confident horological historian readers have already rolled their eyes once or twice.
This particular online fake watches arenn’t just any old 96 — this is among the most desirable precious metal variants to be had. Cased in rose gold (pink if you’re fancy), this early second series example boasts an ever-important and collectible black dial. In either yellow or rose gold, black dialed 96s are some of the rarest, not accounting for the unique or almost unique variants, and truly a collector’s dream. With all of vintage 1:1 perfect fake Patek Philippe watches, there is a sycophantic love for original examples of any reference with a gold case and black dial. It all has to do with the rarity and unique look on the wrist. If you see someone with a black-dialed vintage Patek in public, I beg you to introduce yourself.
The example we have here begs the age-old discussion of rarity and originality versus the three C’s of vintage watch collecting — condition, condition, and condition. Put simply, this top super clone watches are honest but have honestly lived a life. The dial is littered with cracking and bubbling on the lacquer finish, but, most importantly to some collectors, it has not been cleaned, restored, or “messed with.” It is original and the case is too, showing wear and signs of a previous polish, but clearly has not been prepped for sale at any point in its 84 years of service.
The last original 96 to sell with a black dial and rose gold case did $35,280 at Sotheby’s in 2021 — a touch before the reference’s recent rise in popularity. The condition there was original but not perfect. A near-perfect yellow gold example sold this past May for $79,459 at Phillips — that’s the high water mark for a watch like this. Presented as found with a Patek Extract from the Archives confirming the dial type, today’s Swiss fake watches are priced considerably below both of the above.
The sellers, Niko & Ari, are located in Bethlehem, PA, and are asking $33,000 for this uncommon AAA replica Patek Philippe 96 watches.