Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1941
    Reference No: 530
    Movement No: 862'698
    Case No: 507'141, 5
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal
    Bracelet/Strap: Patek Philippe alligator strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production watch with raised hour markers in yellow gold and tachometer scale in 1941 and its subsequent sale on December 16, 1941.

  • Catalogue Essay

    There are certain Patek Philippe wristwatches that can be considered the ultimate in terms of rarity, desirability, and aesthetic beauty. The stainless steel chronograph reference 530 - the oversized version of the hallowed ref. 130 - is without any doubt one of these. With less than 10 steel examples having ever appeared at auction or in literature, it is no wonder they have achieved an almost mythical reputation in the hearts and minds of watch collectors.

    The present example is indeed one of this incredibly restricted production, and it boasts a number of traits which classify it as one of the most collectible of the known steel 530. Not only the dial presents an alluring two-tone finish, with the brushed outer track boldly contrasting with the center of the dial. Furthermore, it presents the Hausmann retailer signature on the dial, another mark of distinction which will enthral the collector. And, finally, it also presents the highly unusual peculiarity - fully confirmed by the Extract - of featuring gold numerals and hands. Hardly ever a Patek Philippe not cased in gold or steel and gold features gold numerals, with this incredibly rare specimen being one of the few indisputable exceptions. Furthermore, the dial impresses the beholder with its incredible freshness. That is because it was masterfully restored by Patek Philippe, who brought it back to its original glory respecting to the micrometer the original specifications. An incredibly accurate job - and respectful of the heritage of the piece - which could be done by no other but the original maker of the watch.

    Compounding together its rarity, its attractiveness, the remarkable freshness of its dial and the definition of its case, the connoisseur will know without a doubt they are in the presence of a timepiece of gargantuan importance.

    Reference 530 was first launched in 1937, and remains one of the rarest chronograph models manufactured by the firm. In terms of its case size, reference 530 is substantially bigger than its sister reference 130, measuring nearly 4 mm larger. The proportions in terms of its diameter, thickness, and placement of its lugs are symmetrical and perfectly balanced, demonstrating the mastery of design that has earned Patek Philippe its position at the top echelon of watchmaking companies.

    Interestingly, the stainless steel chronograph reference 530 is known to have been made in case variants that differ most notably in terms of the distance between the lugs. The first generation, predominantly made in the late 1930s and always seen with the sector dial design, features a 19mm gap between lugs, whereas the second version, exemplified by the present piece and made by Georges Croisier, boasted a substantial gap of 21.5mm giving the watch an even more prominent look. Patek Philippe produced yellow and rose gold versions of reference 530 for over two decades, but a very small number were manufactured in stainless steel during the 1940s – a period of wartime that made low-cost steel models more accessible. With so few existent in the world, and considering the present example’s combination of virtues that tick virtually every box for the discerning collector, it most certainly is a watch worthy of crowning the world’s most important collections.

  • 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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Σ215

Ref. 530
An incredibly rare and important stainless steel oversized chronograph wristwatch with two-tone dial, retailed by Hausmann & Co.

1941
36.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF500,000 - 1,000,000 
€515,000-1,030,000
$501,000-1,000,000

Sold for CHF693,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022