15
Patek Philippe
Ref. 1491
Ricciolo "Pink on Pink Gübelin"
A delightful, unusual and extremely uncommon pink gold wistwatch with salmon dial, radial numerals and scroll lugs, retailed by Gübelin
Full-Cataloguing
- Time only, subsidiary seconds
- Only example known with pink gold case, salmon dial, Gübelin signature, and engraved/enameled radial numerals.
- Fresh to the market
Patek Philippe’s reference 1491 was a whimsical deviation from the classic gentlemen’s wristwatch. Produced between 1940 and 1958, the model with scroll lugs (which gave rise to its Italian nickname "Ricciolo": “Curl”) had a bold design that set it apart from more traditional wristwatches of the era.
An immediately recognizable reference - and today highly collectible - the current example is well above and beyond the “standard” 1491, as it features not only the extremely sought-after pink-on-pink (pink dial on pink case) configuration, but furthermore the signature of the hallowed Swiss retailer Gübelin. Only other 4 examples of this model are known with salmon dial, pink gold case and Gübelin signature.
And yet, the present example reaches even further thanks to its incredible engraved/enameled dial with radial elongated numerals. A potentially unique configuration which makes this specimen one of the most important representatives of its reference.
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.