Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1950 Reference No: 565 Movement No: 700'105 Case No: 658'676 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Mechanical, 27 SC, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Brown crocodile leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Gilt buckle Dimensions: 34.5 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with gold raised Breguet numerals in 1950 and its subsequent sale on 25 September 1950.
Catalogue Essay
Featuring a two-piece case with a dust cap and screw down case back, reference 565 was Patek Philippe's first large-sized water resistant watch. First launched in 1938, the most quintessential example was one manufactured in yellow gold. The cases were made by Taubert, with the inside case back bearing the case maker mark, number 11, within a key.
This example features highly attractive yellow gold Breguet numerals on a silvered dial, which is confirmed by the Extract from the Archives. Most interestingly, the movement bridge is stamped HOX, denoting the present watch was made for import to the United States - incredibly fitting, since the case back is engraved "Earl Kemper Nashville, Tenn".
The enamel signature is correct and free of losses. Most unusual and striking are the leaf hands, which gives the watch a striking and modern appearance.
The case is furthermore preserved in very original 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.