942
Patek Philippe
Ref. 565
Calatrava
A rare and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds
Full-Cataloguing
- 7th example of such configuration to appear in the auction market
- Powered by the calibre 27SC
- Case made by Taubery Key 11
- Retails two crisp hallmarks and confirmed by the Extract from the Archives
Released in 1938 and in production until 1952, it is certainly one of Patek Philippe’s sportier models from this early era thanks to its robust and distinctive two-piece case construction and screw-down caseback. Not only is it water resistant – something of a rarity in the 1940s, but the model also features an inner soft iron case to shield the movement from the adverse effects of magnetic fields. The outer case is composed of only two parts constructed without the habitual snap-on bezel, further suppressing another entry point of dust and humidity
First released with cal. 12”’120 featuring small seconds, the caliber was upgraded in 1950 with cal. 12”400. In 1939, the center seconds version was introduced with the cal. 12 120SC (Seconde Centrale) modified by Victorin Piguet with a hack feature sweep seconds, by 1949 a new calibre was introduced as 27SC. Identifiable via key no. 11, the two-piece screwed down case was made by master casemaker Taubert.
The present example ref. 565 in yellow gold from 1951 fitted with cal. 27SC. Extremely attractive and highly desirable, it is fitted with lapped indexes dial with blued steel center seconds hand. According to our research, this is one of 7 of such configuration to appear in the auction market.
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.