A striking blue soleil dial, cool white gold and a beautifully detailed Clous de Paris bezel. This Calatrava brings a smile every time you look at it. Who said a classic Patek Philippe dress watch has to be understated? This wonderful Calatrava proves otherwise. The combination of that vibrant blue dial and the cool elegance of white gold gives this watch a personality all of its own. The reference 3520D is a wonderful example of Patek Philippe's traditional approach to elegant watchmaking. Its slim 32mm case, slender straight lugs and distinctive Clous de Paris bezel are beautifully proportioned. The finely decorated bezel catches the light with every movement, adding just the right amount of texture to the polished white gold case. But the real magic is in the dial. Finished in a gorgeous mid-blue soleil pattern, it changes character beautifully depending on the light. From a soft, almost powdery blue to a much richer, electric shade, the sunburst finish gives the watch a wonderful sense of depth and life. The applied baton hour markers and slender dark hands keep the design clean, allowing that fabulous blue colour to take centre stage. No date, no seconds hand, nothing to distract from the beauty of the dial. The case presents very nicely, with elegant lugs, attractive proportions and a well-defined hobnail bezel. The screw-down caseback and slim manually wound Patek Philippe movement are part of the thoughtful construction that makes this reference such a pleasure to wear. We have paired this lovely Calatrava with one of our own Bulang & Sons light grey leather straps, creating a fresh, contemporary contrast with the blue dial. It is finished with a Patek Philippe 18k white gold pin buckle. Inside beats the ultra-thin, manually wound calibre 175, a fine example of Patek Philippe's traditional approach to elegant, slim watchmaking. The movement has been fully serviced by an experienced professional watchmaker. For us, this is vintage Patek Philippe at its most enjoyable. Classical watchmaking, beautiful proportions and a dial that is anything but ordinary. A little flash of blue on the wrist that makes even an ordinary day feel special. Specifications: Patek Philippe Calatrava reference 3520D 32mm case in 18k white gold Serial number 270xxxx dating to first half of the 1970s Clous de Paris hobnail bezel and screw-down caseback Blue soleil dial with applied baton markers and non-luminous hands Patek Philippe calibre 175, ultra-thin manual-winding movement Bulang & Sons light grey leather strap with Patek Philippe 18k white gold pin buckle Fully checked and regulated by our experienced professional watchmaker One-year mechanical warranty Fully insured worldwide shipping included Historical Context Introduced in 1932 with the reference 96, the Calatrava became one of Patek Philippe's most enduring designs, celebrated for its simplicity and beautifully balanced proportions. The reference 3520 arrived in the 1960s as an exceptionally slim interpretation of the classic Calatrava. In 1972, the Clous de Paris version, reference 3520D, brought the distinctive hobnail bezel back into the spotlight, continuing a decorative tradition that Patek Philippe had explored decades earlier. While the reference is perhaps most familiar with traditional silver or white dials, this blue soleil execution offers a wonderfully different interpretation. All the elegance and refinement of a classic Calatrava, with an unexpected splash of colour.