Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1944 Reference No: 565 Movement No: 924'706 Case No: 629'569 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, 12'''120, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle signed Patek Philippe Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of the present watch in 1944 and its subsequent sale on December 16, 1944.
Catalogue Essay
Long before the term “casual chic” was coined, Patek Philippe had already designed and launched the reference 565.
Undoubtedly one of Patek Philippe’s sportier models from the 1940s-1950s with its flat case top, short integrated lugs and case construction, reference 565 was a timepiece designed to cater to a public with a growing interest in outdoor activities. This model is not only fitted with a screw down caseback (something of a rarity in the 1940s) but also features an inner soft iron case as to shield the movement from the adverse effects of magnetic fields.
Fresh to the auction market, the overall superb condition of the case along with the ultra-rare Breguet numeral dial and unusual luminous hands and markers (as confirmed by the Extract from the Archives) make the present lot a true sporty, elegant timepiece that will appeal to the sophisticated collector searching for a timepiece of highly contemporary elegance.
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.