Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1955 Reference No: 1578 Movement No: 705’083 Case No: 690’947 Material: 18k pink gold Calibre: Manual, 27 SC Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold signed PPC Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1955 and its subsequent sale on August 8th, 1956
Catalogue Essay
Offered in extremely appealing overall condition, the current wristwatch is a beautiful example of the time only reference 1578. With its spider form lugs, this reference has increased in its popularity in recent years.Introduced to the market in 1943, the reference remained part of regular production until 1956 and was available in either yellow or pink gold. Many examples have been subject to careless over-polishing which immediately smoothens the lugs, loosing their popular facets.The current watch is a very nice example which will please anyone desiring to own a vintage wristwatch. Reference 1578 was manufactured between the years 1949 and 1962 and there are approximately 12 examples known in pink gold.
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.