Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1959
    Reference No: 1579
    Movement No: 868'959
    Case No: 699'406
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13'', 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold pin buckle signed PP.Co
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by the original Certificate of Origin and Guarantee and an Extract of the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1959 and its subsequent sale on July 13, 1960

  • Catalogue Essay

    Other than with love, care and respect, we do not see how the present reference 1579 could have survived close to 60 years in such spectacular condition.

    Introduced in 1943, Patek Philippe’s reference 1579 seductively lures the aesthete with its unusual lugs, thick bezel and large opening to the dial, making it elegantly unconventional and idiosyncratic.

    A rare reference, the present model is one of only 82 pink gold cases known, making it ultra rare.

    The sharp lugs and crisp hallmarks are elements that make us believe that the case was most probably never polished, making the present chronograph one of the best examples to grace the auction market.

    Thanks to its unusual faceted lugs, reference 1579 has been dubbed "spider lugs" by collectors. The model responds particularly badly to polishing, as even the lightest intervention dulls its sharp angles.
    The hallmarks on the lower right lug and top left lug are incredibly crisp and can be perfectly seen even without the aide of a loupe.

    The dial is also preserved in excellent condition and is fitted with applied pink gold Arabic and square-facetted hour markers and an outer tachymeter scale. The enamel remains perfectly raised.

    Adding to the desirability of the watch is the original Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin and Garantee that accompanies it.

    Superlative condition, cachet and beauty make the present reference 1579 one of the true untouched grails for the connoisseur.

  • 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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Ref. 1579
A rare and very attractive pink gold chronograph wristwatch with "spider lugs" and original Certificate

1959
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF120,000 - 180,000 
€103,000-154,000
$127,000-191,000

Sold for CHF187,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018