Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1953 Reference No: 130 Movement No: 868'564 Case No: 672'248 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Yellow gold PPco pin buckle Dimensions: 33mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of the present watch in 1953 and its subsequent sale on April 12, 1954. Literature: Examples of reference 130 are described and illustrated in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe - Volume II, pages 262-265.
Catalogue Essay
In production for almost 30 years, reference 130 is the most iconic and recognizable vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches and is a winning combination of the celebrated "Calatrava" case design with the sporty elegance of a chronograph. Made in stainless steel, yellow and pink gold with a multitude of dial combinations its simple yet elegant design symbolizes the firm’s balance between classicism and high watchmaking.
The present Patek Philippe ref 130 is fresh to the auction market, and is offered in very appealing condition. The case is nicely preserved, with a crisp hallmark clearly visible on the case side. The silvered color dial is beautifully accented with yellow gold applied 6 and 12 Arabic numerals and square indexes.
Collectors of vintage Patek Philippe watches will appreciate that this watch, both in terms of movement and design, guarantees enduring value to the savvy collector, hopefully not only in a secured vault, but also on one's wrist.
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.