Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1943 Reference No: 591 Movement No: 863'150 Case No: 632'636 Model Name: "Fagiolino" Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 34mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1943 with rose dial and raised gold hour-makers and its subsequent sale on November 30, 1943.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe first launched reference 591 in 1938. At the time of production, the model was entirely different from anything that the manufacture had ever produced. The case, produced by Wenger, featured "bean" shaped lugs, lovingly dubbed "Fagiolino", or "little bean". The angular, and relatively sharp lines starkly contrasted with the smooth Calatrava design of reference 130 and 533. Reference 591 was also larger than its chronograph siblings, boasting a 34 millimeter case diameter, giving the watch a modern aesthetic today.
Fresh to the auction market, this particular example displays a beautiful pink dial that is preserved in wonderful condition, with crisp and sharp hallmarks on the edge of the lugs. The dial displays attractive patina and furthermore retains its long signature, with a strong comma between "Patek" and "Philippe". It retains its original crown, and one can admire how remarkably well-preserved the lugs are. It is particularly easy to spot polishing on this reference, as the lugs and bezel easily lose their definition. The hallmarks are particularly well defined on the lugs. It is furthermore one of 14 known reference 591s cased in pink gold with a pink dial, of which 5 display the current dial configuration.
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.