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

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1943
    Reference No: 591
    Movement No: 863'244
    Case No: 633'549
    Model Name: "Fagiolino"
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink 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 1943 with rose dial, applied hour markers and tachometer scale and its subsequent sale on October 19, 1944

  • 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, sparking the Italian nickname “Fagiolino" (“little bean”). The angular, and relatively sharp lines starkly contrasted with the smooth Calatrava design of contemporary reference 130 and 533. Ref. 591 was also larger than its chronograph siblings, boasting a 34 mm case diameter, giving the watch a modern aesthetic today.

    Fresh to the auction market, this particular example displays a beautiful pink dial preserved in exceptional condition and absolutely confirmed by the Archives of Patek Philippe. The dial surface does not show major signs of ageing, and the salmon hue is as even and strong as ever, without spots or shadows. It furthermore retains its long signature, found on pre-1948 production and highly cherished by Patek Philippe connoisseurs. The case is also in remarkable condition, featuring a crisp and sharp hallmark on the side of the lug, a notoriously sensitive place when it comes to polishing. It also retains its original crown, and one can admire how remarkably well-preserved the lugs are: full and with sharp edges. Even the original circular satin finish to the back is preserved unspoiled.

    Such a well preserved specimen, furthermore dressed in the exquisitely exotic PoP (Pink-onPink) attire, and never before seen on the auction market is a discovery as exciting as the watch is charming.

  • 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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Ref. 591
An extremely rare and very elegant pink gold chronograph wristwatch with salmon dial and bean-shaped lugs

1943
34mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 80,000 
€37,100-74,200
$43,800-87,600

Sold for CHF69,300

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