Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1952 Reference No: 1491 Movement No: 701'787 Case No: 672'840 Model Name: "Riccio" or "Fernandel" Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27SC, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 34mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1952 and its subsequent sale on December 15, 1952 and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 1491 was one of those extremely charismatic watches made by Patek Philippe in the 40s. Not immediately obvious at first sight, the avant garde design shows all its splendor and originality when looked at the side. The unusual and playful scroll lugs give the watch an inimitable disruptive look much more in line with designs from the 1950s. Launched in 1940, reference 1491 had been produced in two versions, the first series housing calibre 12-120 and featuring small seconds, the second series presented in 1943, housing calibre 27SC with center sweep seconds but always with its very distinctive lugs. Nicknamed by collectors "Riccio" meaning lock as the scroll lugs are similar to a curly lock of hair, the reference 1491 is also nicknamed "Fernandel" by French collectors as the famous comedian was known to proudly wear this reference. However, reference 1491 is not just about creativity and design. The caliber 27SC housed within is in the purest Geneva tradition with its curving bridges and superb finish as testified by the Geneva seal stamped on it. The present watch embodies avant garde flair and panache. This is only the 29th reference 1491 with calibre 27SC to appear on the market, and it definitely has its place in a well curated collection.
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.