Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016

  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1941
    Reference No: 530
    Movement No: 920'797
    Case No: 507'304
    Model Name: "Calatrava"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'''-120, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel deployant buckle, stamped Patek Philippe Genève
    Dimensions: 36.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming the present watch was manufactured with black dial and applied Breguet numerals in 1941, and its subsequent sale on August 2, 1941.
    Literature: The present watch is prominently illustrated in Patek Philippe Steel Watches, by John Goldberger pg. 114-115.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In a world where the idea that “more is more” has been broadly accepted, watchmakers have used their tiny medium to create a blueprint for innovation across fields. When we look at fine vintage timepieces we are not only paying homage to a point in time, but are celebrating the act of time. As luxury wristwatches have evolved to house chronographs and perpetual calendars we have witnessed innovation be rewarded by collectors who wish to proudly display these advancements on their person.

    With ever-increasing finesse and scholarship, discerning collectors however have distanced themselves from the simple approach of seeking out the newest and most complicated. When assessing a vintage watch there is much more than meets the eye when distinguishing ‘good’ from ‘great.’ Amongst the list of qualities that collectors take note of rarity, condition, beauty, provenance all play their part.

    Outside the world of complicated watches, it can be stated without exaggeration that the present reference 530 in stainless steel is one of the world’s most beautiful and exclusive watches one can hope to obtain. Its rarity speaks volumes, as this example is fitted with a black dial adorned with Breguet numerals and represents the only one of its kind to exist in the world. This watch is absolutely the definition of unique.
    The mirror polished silver print along the outer minute track and Patek Philippe signature matches perfectly with the hour markers, radiating such beauty. The flawless dial and case’s remarkable overall state of preservation is not only visually striking, but has aged in the sophisticated manner that it deserves.

    This watch has graced the world’s most important and prestigious private collections with its presence, where it has remained in pristine, virtually unworn condition. This stunning steel reference 530 presents itself for the first time ever to be seen on the auction market at Phillips’ Geneva Watch Auction: Three.

    Given the watch’s supreme importance, it should come as no surprise that our opinion has also been echoed by John Goldberger in his book, Patek Philippe Steel Watches. Mr. Goldberger dedicated this watch a prominent position inside his historical tome, a privilege only shared by the world’s best examples in their category.

    This is possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity to own an important piece of horological history – representing most likely the most beautiful and valuable stainless steel "time-only" wristwatch and in this instance, what may appear as “less”, is in fact more.

  • Artist Biography

    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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135

Patek Philippe

Ref. 530
A probably unique, highly attractive and large stainless steel wristwatch with black lacquer dial and applied Breguet numerals

1941
36.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF300,000 - 600,000 
€275,000-551,000
$309,000-618,000

Sold for CHF1,445,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016