Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT Geneva Saturday, November 10, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1958
    Reference No: 2570/1
    Movement No: 728'628
    Case No: 697'186 amagnetic cage with repeated case number
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12-400, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold PPCo pin buckle
    Dimensions: 35mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe fitted box and Extract from the Archives confirming date of manufacture in 1958 and subsequent sale on November 29th, 1958.
    Literature: Reference 2570/1 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, page 193

  • Catalogue Essay

    The words tool watch and Patek Philippe are rarely if ever associated, however with the launch of the anti-magnetic reference 3417 followed by reference 2570/1 in 1958, Patek Philippe managed to create a whole new genre.

    During the 1950s many watch manufacturers identified a demand for anti-magnetic wristwatches aimed for use by scientists and those working in a highly magnetic environment. Many of these watches have become so famous and collectable, that one does not need to mention the manufacture's name but only the model name: Railmaster, Ingenieur, Milgauss and naturally Patek Philippe's Amagnetic!

    Whereas the reference 3417 was made in steel, which makes sense for a tool watch, Patek Philippe in a very audacious move at the time decided to launch the reference 2570/1 in yellow and pink gold both in very low numbers. The present piece is one of 16 known yellow gold models to house caliber 12-400 featuring the prestigious Geneva seal. Two years later, in 1960, the movement was changed to caliber 12AM400 that featured a Gyromax balance and free sprung regulator.

    The elegant case features long downturned lugs that perfectly hug the wrist. The dial with baton markers and "3-9-12" applied yellow gold Arabic numerals has turned a somewhat ivory/champagne color resulting in a most pleasing effect.

    Fresh to the market, the present timepiece made the same year this reference was launched, is in overall appealing condition and still retains its anti-magnetic cap that bears the case number of the watch, confirming its originality. Many existing examples have lost their inner soft-iron cap over the years.

    An unusual timepiece within the Patek Philippe production, the reference 2570/1 has found the fine balance between tool watch and dress watch and along with its ultimate rarity deserves its place within a Patek Philippe 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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Ref. 2570/1
An extremely rare and attractive anti-magnetic yellow gold wristwatch with Arabic numerals and box

1958
35mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€13,200-22,000
$15,400-25,600

Sold for CHF20,000

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

The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT

Geneva Auction 10-11 November 2018