Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1952 Reference No: 1579 Movement No: 868'284 Case No: 668'575 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Mechanical, 13''', 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Brown Patek Philippe crocodile leather strap Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1952 and its subsequent sale on 27 October 1952.
Catalogue Essay
Introduced to the market in 1943, reference 1579 most notably features elongated and faceted lugs that have been dubbed "spider lugs" by collectors, due to their unusual shape that mimics its namesake. As with many of Patek Philippe's chronograph models, the cases were produced by Wenger and have incredible presence on the wrist.
The model's 36 millimeter case diameter is particularly large for the period, lending the watch an incredibly modern appearance today, while retaining its absolutely vintage dial and lug configuration.
A faithful client of Patek Philippe, the original owner serviced the watch prior to its auction debut in 1991. The case furthermore retains both its original hallmarks, which are clear and legible, with one on the band and one beneath the lugs.
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.