Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1943 Reference No: 565 Movement No: 924'271 Case No: 630'344 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'''-120, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: White gold pin buckle by PPCo Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1943 and its subsequent date of sale on January 21st, 1944, presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe's reference 565 was possibly the first watch that would address the needs of a society with an increased desire for outdoor activities, in particular sports. This model is not only fitted with a screw back for enhanced protection against humidity and dust, but also an inner second cover to shield the movement against magnetic fields. The case would be composed of only two parts, omitting the clip-on bezel, normally found on wristwatches of the same period and thus suppressing another point of entry for unwanted elements. The present example, fresh to the auction market, must be considered one of the most exceptional specimens of reference 565 to ever come to the market.
Reference 565 was also one of the first Patek Philippe wristwatches to be made in series with a stainless steel case, further underlining its robust character. It is fitted with a black galvanic finish dial, with applied Arabic and dot numerals, a dial design never previously seen on this reference. The silver signature and outer minute track are beautifully shining through from underneath, and are overall in remarkable condition given the watch's seventy years of age.
Most importantly, for any avid collector, is the fact that the Patek Philippe archives confirm that the present watch was born with the black dial. Indeed, of the small handful of stainless steel references 565 we know today with black dials, only half are actually born with the black dials and certified as such. Typical for black dials with lacquered surface from the 1940s, the surface has aged and developed quite evenly, crazing to the lacquered surface. Also the steel numerals show light oxidation and discoloration, giving the watch additional charm and further legitimacy.
Unrestored stainless steel references 565 with original black dials are of such rarity that in John Goldberger's Steel Watches book dedicated to Patek Philippe steel watches, there are only two examples illustrated with black dials further underlining the gem character of black dials references 565 in steel.
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.