Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1946 Reference No: 1480 Movement No: 838'700 Case No: 509'861 Material: 18k pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 9'''90, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Patek Philippe pink gold pin buckle Dimensions: 40x24mm 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 December 17, 1946
Catalogue Essay
Between the 1930s and 1950s, Patek Phillipe produced a significant and wide-ranging variety of rectangular-cased watches. They were fitted with either round movements, or as in the present watch, with the highly attractive rectangular caliber 9’’’90. Watches fitted with this rectangular caliber are known for their harmonious, well-balanced dial designs.
In addition to this perfect balance, the present watch features a superb, pale rosé champagne dial. This “pink on pink” combination is certainly the most exclusive as only a handful of this reference are known to have been produced. This sought after model, reference 1480, is instantly recognizable thanks to its prominent, scallop shaped lugs that partially cover the strap. One will immediately note the fantastic condition in which this watch is presented today. The dial has never been cleaned or restored in any way, and still features the highly sought after comma between “Patek” and “Philippe”, and the accent on “Genève”, while the unpolished case retains crisp hallmarks on the lugs at 11 o’clock.
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.