Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1945 Reference No: 438 Movement No: 912'256 Case No: 634'047 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Mechanical, 10-110, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Brown crocodile leather strap Dimensions: 28 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1945 and its subsequent sale on 14 October 1946.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 438 was launched in 1935. The model is distinguished with its boy-size water-resistant-type case with screw down case back. The reference is seldom seen on the market and the present watch is accompanied by the Extract of Archives confirming its attractive raised Breguet numerals.
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.