110
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3587/1
"Beta 21"
A rare and attractive oversized yellow gold cushion-shaped electronic wristwatch with center seconds, date and bracelet
- Estimate
- CHF12,000 - 18,000€11,100 - 16,700$11,900 - 17,800
CHF13,750
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1970
- Reference No
- 3587/1
- Movement No
- 00'005'742
- Case No
- 2'699'553
- Model Name
- "Beta 21"
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Electroquartz, cal Beta 21, 13 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe integrated mesh bracelet measuring 210mm max.
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe clasp
- Dimensions
- 43mm. Wide
- Signed
- Case, dial and movement signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of this watch in 1970 and its subsequent sale on September 17, 1970
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
A single glance at the present lot and we are taken back in time to New York’s Studio 54, Jimi Hendrix’s zazzy riffs, DeNiro’s breaking role in Taxi Driver and generally a period of freedom, euphoric creativity and free thinking.
The massive gold case with vibrant blue dial is bold, glamorous and exudes panache and self-confidence. However, reference 3587/1 is much more than an exuberant design. It is a testament to the power of the Swiss watchmaking industry in a rapidly changing market. Century old brands had started delving into quartz technology in the early 1960s. 20 of them, including Patek Philippe, Rolex and Omega, set up the CEH (Centre Electronique Horloger) to undertake research and development of a high end Swiss quartz movement. In 1966 the Beta-1 was introduced followed three years later by the now iconic Beta-21 in 1969; this movement was accurate to a ground breaking five seconds per month. It was agreed amongst the 20 brands that only 6000 movements would be produced and shared among them.
Patek Philippe introduced the Ref. 3587/1 in 1970 housing this now cult movement. Scholarship estimates that only 24 Ref. 3587/1 were made, the present lot being part of a very few featuring a blue dial.
The present lot in spectacular condition, is a superb testament to Patek Philippe’s propensity to adapt to its era and will speak to the savvy collector.
The massive gold case with vibrant blue dial is bold, glamorous and exudes panache and self-confidence. However, reference 3587/1 is much more than an exuberant design. It is a testament to the power of the Swiss watchmaking industry in a rapidly changing market. Century old brands had started delving into quartz technology in the early 1960s. 20 of them, including Patek Philippe, Rolex and Omega, set up the CEH (Centre Electronique Horloger) to undertake research and development of a high end Swiss quartz movement. In 1966 the Beta-1 was introduced followed three years later by the now iconic Beta-21 in 1969; this movement was accurate to a ground breaking five seconds per month. It was agreed amongst the 20 brands that only 6000 movements would be produced and shared among them.
Patek Philippe introduced the Ref. 3587/1 in 1970 housing this now cult movement. Scholarship estimates that only 24 Ref. 3587/1 were made, the present lot being part of a very few featuring a blue dial.
The present lot in spectacular condition, is a superb testament to Patek Philippe’s propensity to adapt to its era and will speak to the savvy collector.
Literature
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since 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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