Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT Hong Kong Monday, May 27, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1956
    Reference No: 1579
    Movement No: 868’931
    Case No: 699’402
    Material: 18k pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13-130, 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold Patek Philippe buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied with an Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1956 and its subsequent sale on December 19th, 1958

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe’s 20th century chronograph wristwatch production is well-known to collectors with some of the most iconic timepieces available in the vintage market today. Patek Philippe released the reference 1579 in 1943 and it holds a unique place in the chronology of Patek Philippe chronographs with a larger case design at 36 mm diameter and faceted lugs. The three piece Wenger case is the same as the time only reference 1578, however features the caliber Valjoux 13-130, opposed to the caliber 12-120. The caliber 13 is considered one of the finest manufactured and was used until the 1980s when it was replaced with a modified Lemania ébauche.

    The faceted downturned lugs became known as “spider” lugs and is a lovely demonstration to the attention to detail and design mastered by Patek Philippe. Fresh to the market, the present reference 1579 in pink gold is a lovely example from 1956 and is from the second series (1950-1964) with the Stern Frères-fabricated dial featuring Arabic and square numerals, and feuille hands, while the first series (1943-1949) had Arabic and baton numerals with baton or feuille hands. A dynamic watch that represents the golden age of horology, this watch is in very nice original condition with a very light polish in the past and is only the fifth know example known to the market with the Gobbi, Milano signature. An important collectors watch it is a timepiece that is sure to impress discriminating collectors.

  • 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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Σ952

Ref. 1579
A very attractive and very rare pink gold chronograph wristwatch with spider lugs and tachymeter scale, retailed by Gobbi, Milano

1956
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$1,200,000 - 2,000,000 
€87,900-176,000
$100,000-200,000

Sold for HK$2,125,000

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT

Hong Kong Auction 28 May 2019