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Patek Philippe

Ref. 534

A very well preserved and rare yellow gold wristwatch with champagne dial and Breguet numerals, the only one known in this configuration

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Reference 534 is an elusive model from Patek Philippe, produced in the late 1930s and early 1940s it was available alongside the famous ref 96 but contrary to its sibling reference 534 features a surprising "Empire" style case that was not seen before...or after at Patek Philippe.

The 2 part case is a first test in water resistance, it is rather thick with straight flanks, thin straight down turned lugs providing incredible panache and wrist presence.

The dial of the present example is the true show stopper as it features a striking champagne colored dial and Breguet numerals. Of the 15 ref 534 in yellow gold known the present example, fresh to the market is the only one known with champagne dial and Breguet numerals.

The desirability of this piece is further enhanced by the superbe state of preservation, the hard enamel brand name is raised and crisp but most importantly the three hallmarks present on the case and lugs are perfectly crisp and deep leading us to believe the watch was most probably never polished.

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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