Patek Philippe Calatrava 1578 Hausmann & Co - Spider Lugs

This Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 1578 from the 1950s, featuring its rare double-signed “Patek Philippe Genève / Hausmann & Co.” dial, is a particularly appealing example of this distinctive reference. The 35 mm yellow-gold case with its striking so-called “Spider Lugs”, the classically designed dial and the patina developed over many decades give the watch an unmistakable historical character.

Reference 1578 was produced in various configurations from the 1940s onwards and, due to its unusual case design, ranks among the most distinctive classic Patek Philippe models of its era. Particularly characteristic are the elaborately shaped, widely extending lugs, whose appearance is reminiscent of spider legs and has earned the reference its “Spider Lugs” nickname among collectors. A similar case architecture can also be found on the celebrated Reference 1579 chronograph. With a diameter of 35 mm, Reference 1578 also offered generous proportions for its time.

The undisputed highlight of this example is its original silver-colored dial. In addition to the Patek Philippe signature at 12 o’clock, it bears the additional “HAUSMANN & CO” signature above 6 o’clock. The long-established Italian firm Hausmann & Co. was an important Patek Philippe retailer in Rome. Watches bearing this double signature are comparatively rare today and document the historical relationship between the Geneva manufacture and its Italian retailer.

After approximately 70 years, the originally silver-colored dial, now displaying a warm cream tone, has developed an even and entirely authentic patina. Fine discoloration and traces of aging are distributed across the surface without obscuring the original design. Applied gold hour markers, the double marker at 12 o’clock and the classic Dauphine hands create the balanced aesthetic typical of Patek Philippe during the 1950s. A central seconds hand completes the display.

The 18k yellow-gold case also features several interesting details. The characteristic Spider Lugs have retained their distinctive shape, while the external gold hallmarks remain intact on two of the lugs. Preserved hallmarks are particularly pleasing on this reference, as the exposed and elaborately shaped lugs often lose definition through previous polishing. The watch is also fitted with a signed Patek Philippe crown featuring the characteristic Calatrava Cross.

Inside is the manually wound Patek Philippe Caliber 27 SC with central seconds. This finely executed manufacture movement belongs to the later center-seconds version of Reference 1578 and displays the meticulous finishing characteristic of Patek Philippe during this period.

The inside of the case also bears the so-called “Geneva Key No. 1”, identifying the case as the work of the renowned Geneva case maker Ed. Wenger SA. Wenger was one of Patek Philippe’s important case suppliers and produced cases for numerous significant references of the manufacture. This attribution is particularly interesting in the case of Reference 1578, as its elaborately constructed Spider Lugs form an essential part of its unmistakable design.

Overall, this example combines several details that make an early Patek Philippe particularly interesting to collectors: the characteristic Wenger case with its extraordinary Spider Lugs, the rare Hausmann & Co. double-signed dial and an authentic patina developed naturally over many decades. It is precisely this combination of classic Patek Philippe elegance, unusual case architecture and historical retailer provenance that makes Reference 1578 a fascinating and highly collectible Calatrava of its era.

A Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives has already been ordered for this watch and will provide additional documentation of its historical details.

Condition Report
Dial: original cream-colored dial with harmonious aging - even patina - applied gold hour markers - Dauphine hands - double-signed “Patek Philippe Genève” and “Hausmann & Co.”

Case: 18k yellow-gold case in great condition - light signs of wear - characteristic Spider Lugs with well-preserved contours - intact external gold hallmarks on two lugs - correct engravings and gold hallmarks inside the caseback - original Patek Philippe crown with Calatrava Cross.

Movement: Patek Philippe Caliber 27 SC in excellent condition - timegrapher readings: rate -16 s/day, amplitude 283°, beat error 1.6 ms.

Case number: 2608xxx
Movement number: 708xxx

Int.Exe.: 4829362