Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE Geneva Friday, May 12, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1946
    Reference No: 565
    Movement No: 864'802
    Case No: 644'576
    Model Name: Calatrava
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12''', 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe Henri Stern buckle
    Dimensions: 34.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in pink gold with silvered dial and applied Breguet numerals in 1946 and its subsequent sale on 21 August 1947.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 565 was Patek Philippe's first large-sized water resistant watch, featuring a two-piece case with a dust cap and screw down case back. First launched in 1938, the reference was produced predominantly in yellow gold, and rarely in pink gold or stainless steel. The cases were manufactured by Taubert, with the inside case back bearing the case maker mark, number 11, within a key. Since the beginning on the 19th century, Taubert specialized in producing waterproof wristwatches and pocket watch cases.

    The present watch, cased in pink gold, features beautiful pink gold Breguet numerals on a silvered dial, which is confirmed by the Extract from the Archives. It furthermore features indirect sweep center seconds. This ébauche was the result of a collaboration between Victorin Piguet and Patek Philippe, where the center seconds mechanism was ingeniously added to the existing 12'''120 "subsidiary seconds register" movement.

    The long signature is correct and free of losses. Most unusual and striking are the spade hands, which gives the watch a striking and modern appearance.

    The case is furthermore preserved in very original condition. The bezel and lugs remain robust in their proportions, and the watch retains a strong hallmark to the band and the edge of the lug, attesting to its excellent state of preservation.

    Research shows that the present watch is the second known pink gold example to feature pink Breguet numerals and spade hands, highlighting the rarity of the watch.

  • 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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Ref. 565
A fine, rare and attractive pink gold wristwatch with indirect sweep center seconds and Breguet numerals

1946
34.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 50,000 
€27,800-46,300
$29,700-49,500

Sold for CHF40,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE

Geneva Auctions 13 – 14 May 2017