1099Σ︎
Patek Philippe
Ref. 1436
An important and extremely scarce yellow gold split-seconds chronograph wristwatch with Extract from the Archives
Full-Cataloguing
- Extremely scarce, only about 140 examples produced
- Exceptionally restored by Patek Philippe with letter of restoration
- With 2 Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1946
- A complimentary service for this watch offered by Patek Philippe before May 2031
A historically important model, ref. 1436 is a horological marvel. The first split seconds chronograph wristwatch Patek Philippe ever produced in series. Shortly after the launch of the chronograph ref. 130 in 1934, the company noticed that a split-second version had a potential market. Indeed, the “rattrapante” mechanism was particularly useful for technical purposes, such as timing horse or automobile races, as well measuring scientific experiments. Thus, in 1938 the firm introduced the ref. 1436, to this day considered one of the most refined models ever produced by the firm.
Most impressively, the rattrapante chronograph mechanism is housed within the confines of a 33mm diameter case. Not only does it represent an ineffable merging of design and technical proficiency, it is furthermore one of the scarcest models made by the firm. Given the difficulty of assembling a split-second movement, research suggests that the total output for the model is approximately 140 examples, produced throughout the reference's approximate 33 years of manufacture. That means an average of 4 watches per year. This is an exceedingly limited number, even by the production standards of the mid-to-late 20th century.
While earlier examples feature a crown which also acts as split-second pusher, second generation examples like the present watch feature a co-axial button within the crown, giving the watch a sportier appeal and rendering this model unmistakable to the eye of the collector.
Impressively, the present yellow gold ref. 1436 has been professionally restored by Patek Philippe in November 2024. Accompanied by a letter of restoration detailing the work carried out, the watch was finished to the highest standards by the manufacturer as if coming out of its factory in 1946. In overall very attractive condition, the collectability of the present watch is heightened by the fact that there are only a handful of known examples of the present dial configuration with co-axial pushers in yellow gold.
The ref. 1436 is without a doubt one of the most elegant, rare, important and collectible vintage Patek Philippe references. Offered with two Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present timepiece in 1946 as well as the restoration letter from Patek Philippe, this watch is further offered a complimentary service from the manufacturer before May 2031.
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.