Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1942 Reference No: 565 Movement No: 922'775 Case No: 658'048 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 12-120, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel buckle Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the movement of the present watch in 1942 and its subsequent sale on December 31st, 1942, furthermore confirming the original case was replaced during a servicing in the Patek Philippe workshops on May 22, 1950. Also accompanied by a presentation case.
Catalogue Essay
If in the 1940s and 1950s there was ever such a thing as a Patek Philippe sports-watch, then reference 565 must probably be it. Launched in 1938, it features a robust steel case made out of one piece only plus the screw-on case back for increased protection against humidity and water.
The present watch started life in 1942, as confirmed by Patek Philippe’s Archives, but returned in the spring of 1950 when it received a new (the present) steel case no. 658’048 together with the timeless off-white dial with facetted white gold baton hour markers.
Thanks to its straightforward and timeless case design, and its larger diameter of nearly 35mm, it is today as contemporary as it must have been over half a century ago.
This example here has not been exposed to repeated polishing as the edge surrounding the bezel is sharp and well preserved, and the dial appears to be in all original and unrestored condition.
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.