Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN Hong Kong Monday, November 26, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1952
    Reference No: 755
    Movement No: 868'321
    Case No: 654'319
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13", 25 jewels
    Dimensions: 46mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Patek Philippe presentation box. Further delivered with Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1952 and its subsequent sale on January 27th, 1955

  • Catalogue Essay

    The split-seconds chronograph watch is one of the most elegant timepieces both for its aesthetic appeal and complicated movement. Amongst watch enthusiasts, Patek Philippe’s caliber 13” is probably best known for the rare reference 1436, and the extremely rare reference 1563 split-chronograph wristwatches. The mechanism allows the wearer to time a single event that begins together, but ends separately, or measures an interval, such as in car or horse racing. During the early to mid-20th century well-heeled gentleman of taste would find the split-chronograph watch attractive and functional.

    The present lot is a lovely example and an interesting study in horology. The most noticeable aspect of the watch is the vertical layout of the subsidiary dials with the 30-minute register at the 12 and the constant seconds at the 6 position. This design has a clean modern look, and is enhanced by the applied Arabic and baton numerals popular mid-20th century. The case shape matches other Patek Philippe complicated timepieces of the period, most notably world-time and perpetual calendar pocket watches. It is a clean, sleek design that suggests the exuberance of the post-war era. Another intriguing feature of the watch is the case back reference number 685, which is a single chronograph watch of the same period, however the split-seconds models were reference 755. Since the watch is confirmed by Patek Philippe, it suggests these watches were made on request and therefore the reference 685 case was used.

    This lovely reference 755 is one of very few known to the market and is in excellent original condition. The split-seconds chronograph is an intriguing complicated watch, and this example will make a superb addition to a savvy collection.

  • 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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843

Ref. 755
A very fine and rare yellow gold open face split-seconds chronograph pocket watch with vertically positioned subsidiary dials and presentation box

1952
46mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$390,000 - 620,000 
€43,100-68,500
$50,000-79,500

Sold for HK$500,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN

Hong Kong Auction 27 November 2018