Patek Philippe - START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs Geneva Friday, May 13, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1938
    Reference No: 130
    Movement No: 862’022
    Case No: 505’197
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13’’’130, 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel deployant buckle, stamped Patek Philippe
    Dimensions: 33mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1938 and its subsequent sale on May 31, 1938.
    Provenance: Phillips De Pury & Luxembourg, November 18, 2002, Geneva, Lot 66.
    Literature: The present watch is prominently illustrated in Patek Philippe Steel Watches, John Goldberger, pg. 218-219.

  • Provenance

    Phillips De Pury & Luxembourg, November 18, 2002, Geneva, Lot 66.

  • Catalogue Essay

    With its stunning multi-tone sector dial divided into five concentric segments with different surface finishes, this Patek Philippe stainless steel reference 130 is amongst the most beautiful examples of the reference known. The result is a mesmerizing work of art that one cannot resist being drawn to.

    This particular watch comes from the second owner since new, who has held onto it for over a decade. The watch was only once at auction in November 2002 at Phillips de Pury & Luxembourg, where it achieved a world record price for a stainless steel reference 130 that stood for over a decade. This speaks volumes for the unmatched quality, rarity and originality, especially also considering that sector dials were only done for a short period in the late 1930s. Just over one dozen examples are known with enamel hour markers featuring a European tachometer scale.

    The dial is free of any applied indexes, but instead boasts hard black enamel. The Extract from the Archives describes the silvered dial having enamel numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock, which is a delight for purist collectors who want to be sure the watch remains as it was when it first left the manufacturer. Additionally, Stern manufactured the dial – the same family-owned company that acquired Patek Philippe a few years prior.

    A noteworthy design element to mention is the lugs. On stainless steel reference 130s, the lugs are slightly shorter and thicker than on yellow, pink or white gold examples, giving the wristwatch a more masculine and strong aesthetic.

    The watch has been in the private ownership of one of the world’s most important collectors. This watch is one of the finest reference 130s to appear in recent years, making it a superb watch for a discriminating collector.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.

    Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.

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30

Ref. 130
An extremely rare, highly attractive and important stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with multi-tone silvered sector dial, black enamel Arabic and baton hour markers, and tachometer scale.

1938
33mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF300,000 - 600,000 

Sold for CHF725,000

Contact Specialist
Livia Russo
+41 22 317 81 86

START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs

Geneva Auction 14 May 2016