Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1944
    Reference No: 565
    Movement No: 925'435
    Case No: 634'103
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12-120, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Gay Frères bracelet, max length 195mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Gay Frères folding deployant clasp stamped GF
    Dimensions: 34.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, bracelet signed GF
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial and raised hour-markers in steel in 1944 and its subsequent sale on 19 February 1945 and fitted presentation box.
    Literature: The present watch is illustrated in Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger, page 182 and 183.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Stainless steel is one of the the rarest case metals for reference 565. Manufactured by Frères Borgel, later known as Taubert, the cases were made in stainless steel for a sporty and robust take on the gentleman's time-only wristwatch.

    The present watch is a very unusual and attractive variant of the reference. Firstly, it features rare "3, 9 12" Breguet numerals and long baton markers. To our knowledge, the present reference 565 is the only known example to be fitted with such a dial.

    Furthermore, it displays the signature of retailer Freccero above 6 o'clock. A legendary retailer, Freccero, is based in Uruguay and is still in business today. While it no longer retails Patek Philippe, the store sold some of the most unique retailed-signed watches of the past century. The dial features the correct long signature, and the enamel is raised and incredibly strong. The comma between "Patek, Philippe" is present, as is the accent in the "Genève" signature.

    The dial has furthermore aged to a pleasing vanilla tone so beloved by vintage watch collectors, showing how it has truly been untouched for the past decades. The case is preserved in excellent condition, with full proportions, sharp edges, and a particularly wide bezel, which would have instantly receded with polishing.

    The reference was first launched in 1938, and featured a plethora of dial and hand variations, making it one of Patek Philippe's most diverse and wide ranging models. Reference 565 features either sweep centre seconds, or a subsidiary seconds register situated above 6 o'clock, such as the present example.

  • 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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216

Ref. 565
A highly rare and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with Breguet numerals and bracelet, retailed by Freccero

1944
34.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, bracelet signed GF

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 80,000 
€34,500-69,100
$41,300-82,600

Sold for CHF56,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017