Patek Philippe - Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers Geneva Friday, November 8, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1946
    Reference No: 1579
    Movement No: 867'029
    Case No: 645'012
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13', 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Gilt pin buckle
    Dimensions: 35.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed Freccero
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with raised gold hour markers in 1946 and its subsequent sale on December 17, 1947 and presentation box

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced in 1943, Patek Philippe reference 1579 definitely exults a seductive allure that remains today sophisticated with an elegant appeal. Due to its fanciful lugs in the shape of briolette diamonds, the reference is often referred to as the “Spider Lugs" chronograph. This unusual feature propelled this watch to one of the most impressive case designs of the 1950s.
    Made in 1946, this reference 1579 in pink gold is superbly complemented by a first series pink dial. Over the course of its production, Stern Frères produced two series of dials for the reference 1579 that can be differentiated by the shape of the indexes. The second series dials have square indexes as opposed to the sleek and elegant baton indexes found on the present watch. However, this dial reveals more treasures. Whereas the majority of chronographs had speed related scales such as the tachymeter printed on the dial, the present example features a much rarer pulsometer scale, and most certainly spent a larger part of its life comfortably strapped on the wrist of an elegant physician. Out of the 174 examples produced during two decades, only 7 retailed by Freccero are known and only 3 with a pulsometer scale.
    When the watch originally appeared on the market the protective lacquer had aged and flaked off, it has been professionally removed and a new coat reapplied giving it back its original sheen and beauty.
    The present Patek Philippe’s oversized reference 1579 is a watch that will attract all connoisseurs for its rarity, elegance and classic timelessness.

  • 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. 1579
An elegant and beautiful pink gold chronograph wristwatch with pink dial and pulsometer scale and box

1946
35.5mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed Freccero

Estimate
CHF120,000 - 240,000 
€111,000-221,000
$121,000-242,000

Sold for CHF162,500

Contact Specialist
Virginie Liatard-Roessli
Specialist, Head of Sale
+41 76 338 91 03
vliatard@phillips.com

Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers

Geneva Auction 9 November 2019