Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XII Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1937
    Reference No: 130
    Movement No: 860'515
    Case No: 505'192
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal 13'''130, 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 33mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1937 with "silvered dial, black enamel numerals at 12 and 6 o' clock, tachometer scale" and its subsequent sale on August 9, 1938.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe’s reference 130 is without a doubt one of the brand’s landmark vintage models. It subtly merges the "Calatrava" case design - defined by clean, simple, utilitarian lines following the Bauhaus mantra “form follows function” - with the sporty elegance of a chronograph. In production for close to 30 years, reference 130 was made in yellow, pink and white gold and - a minority - in steel with a diverse range of different dial variations.

    One interesting observation to note is that the lugs of the stainless steel version are different from that of all other case materials. They are slightly thicker and shorter in design giving this classic timepiece a more compact, sportier look.

    The present specimen is a highly appealing variation featuring a superb two-tone silvered sector dial cased in stainless steel. It is considered one of the most desirable combinations for collectors. It is interesting to note how sector dials were in fashion for a remarkably short time. They are usually found on watches made during the second decade of the 1930s. It appears that Patek realised a number of sectorial designs, differing from each other in the number of sectors and type of numerals employed. The present design, for example, is known also with applied numerals at 6 and 12 (see lot 30, Phillips Hong Kong, 27 November 2018 ). Furthermore, an identical dial layout (with enameled numerals) happened to break the world record for reference 130 in steel at Phillips Geneva in May 2016. Even counting all different variations, however, sector dials remain as unobtainable as they are attractive: only a few dozens such watches are overall known from the entire auction market.

    The dial is preserved in overall honest and lovely condition, with the hard enamel long signature and scales without losses or signs of restoration. The case as well is in very attractive condition and has not been subjected to careless polishing.

    Offered by the family of the original owner, the present watch was originally delivered to France, the country where it resided its entire life until it was consigned to Phillips for the present sale - fitting as the dial is signed "FAB. SUISSE", denoting that the watch was delivered to France. Having stayed in France for 83 years, it is the first time the watch is leaving the country and back to Switzerland.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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146

Ref. 130
An extremely rare and supremely attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with two-tone sector dial

1937
33mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF250,000 - 500,000 
€232,000-463,000
$272,000-545,000

Sold for CHF352,800

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XII

Geneva Auction 6 - 7 November 2020