Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1941 Reference No: 130 Movement No: 862'807 Case No: 505'830 also stamped 26 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Gay Frères bracelet, max length 200mm. Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Gay Frères deployant clasp Dimensions: 33mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the watch in 1941 and its subsequent sale on May 7th, 1942
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe’s reference 130 is certainly one of the brand’s most iconic and recognizable chronographs as it subtly merges the "Calatrava" case design with the sporty elegance of a chronograph.
In production for close to 30 years, reference 130 was made in stainless steel, yellow and pink gold with a diverse range of different dial variations.
The present example, cased in stainless steel is fresh to the market and features an element not found in its gold counterparts: shorter and thicker lugs giving the watch a sportier and more masculine appearance, which is further highlighted by the steel Gay Frères bracelet. The cream dial has aged to a magnificent ivory color giving the watch the allure of a bygone era. As one would expect from a Patek Philippe made in 1941, the dial features the long signature, Patek Philippe & Co.
Few chronographs of the 20th century enjoy such iconic status amongst scholars and collectors as reference 130 does. It is a watch whose design could be a perfect case study in sotto voce elegance, refinement and the perfect application of the “less is more” doctrine.
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.