Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1952 Reference No: 1593 Movement No: 974'756 Case No: 674'246 Model Name: "The Hour Glass" Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 9''90, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Gilt pin buckle Dimensions: 40mm Length Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed Gübelin Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1952 and its subsequent sale on February 26, 1953. Further accompanied by Gübelin Extract from the Archives confirming the sale of the watch.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 1593 - aka “The Hour Glass” due to its shape - is the first representative of a new wave of creativity in regard to shape watches which includes also “Marilyn Monroe” ref. 2442 and “Tour Eiffel” ref. 2441. It was in production from 1944 to 1967 in yellow gold, pink gold and platinum (no white gold examples known so far) for an estimated total output of about 1000 pieces. The elected case maker for this watch (as well as for reference 2441 and 2442) was Markowsky - casemaker number 8, in a key as for all Geneva-based makers - specialised in shape cases.
The present watch is distinguished not only by the superb condition of its case, but most notably for the Gübelin signature on the dial. It is interesting to note that another Gübelin-retailed 1593 is known, bearing a serial number three digits away from the present piece. An educated guess is that these watches were part of a batch made specifically for the Lucerne-based retailer.
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.