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

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1946
    Reference No: 570
    Movement No: 864'828
    Case No: 300'068
    Model Name: Calatrava
    Material: 18k pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'''SC, 20 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 35.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming year of production of the present watch in 1946 and its subsequent sale on October 2, 1947

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced in 1938, the iconic, oversized “Calatrava” model, reference 570, is adored by collectors for many reasons, including the exquisite manual-winding movements housed within them. Offered in two versions, one with subsidiary seconds and the other with center seconds - the latter were fitted with a movement modified by Victorin Piguet. The architecture of mechanical movements at the time prevented a simple solution to providing center seconds. To solve this challenge, complication specialist Victorin Piguet added a chronograph-like mechanism to Patek Philippe’s base 12-ligne movement. Known as indirect center seconds, such watches were sold at a higher cost and today are highly desirable to collectors.

    The present example is thought to be one of only three pink gold reference 570s fitted with this prestigious, sweeping center seconds movement. Its most impressive feature is the stunning two-tone pink dial that is absolutely original and in our view, has never been cleaned or restored in any way. Consistent with the dial’s immaculate condition is the case, still retaining the original factory finished surfaces and crisp edges as it left the factory some 70 years ago. Easily amongst the most beautiful time-only watches of all time, this watch is a pure treat for the eyes, and one that ticks every box for the discerning collector.

  • 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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Ο211

Ref. 570
An extremely rare and large pink gold wristwatch with two-tone pink dial and indirect center seconds

1946
35.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 90,000 
€55,100-82,600
$61,800-92,800

Sold for CHF100,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016