Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: X Hong Kong Friday, July 10, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: Circa 1945
    Reference No: 530
    Movement No: 863’446
    Case No: 509’215
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13-130, 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36.5mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Further delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of manufacture in 1944 with a silvered dial, raised gold hour-markers and tachometer scale and its subsequent date of sale on 8th December 1945.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Considered as one of the greatest chronograph references manufactured by none other than Swiss powerhouse Patek Philippe, the ref. 530 from the late 1930’s is with no doubt a dream piece for discerned collectors. Boasting a large case diameter at the time of its launch back in 1937, a case size measuring 36.5mm diameter was overwhelmingly considered as giant and therefore was produced in much smaller quantities. During the first half of the 20th century, wristwatches were a “new thing” as many manufacturers at the time were still producing pocket watches. During the 1930’s, the norm was to manufacture wristwatches with case dimensions measuring between 31mm and 33mm, which is reflected on the ref. 130 – the smaller counterpart of the ref. 530. However in today’s standards, wristwatches are produced with most measuring above 38mm diameter in case dimensions, making some of the grail pieces from the past seem a tad too small, and that was not the case for the ref. 530.

    With a request to launch a larger chronograph wristwatch after the introduction of the first referenced and serially produced chronograph ref. 130 in 1936, the firm decided to tackle the task by introducing a larger chronograph inspired by the ref. 530 (time only) case made by master casemaker Croisier, identifiable via “Key no.5”. Believed to be only produced in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel, it is estimated that 140 examples of the reference was ever produced between 1937 until 1962 when the reference was discontinued. With only 85 examples to have been encased in yellow gold, approximately 31 examples have appeared on the market.

    The present example encased in yellow gold from 1944 is an attractive specimen of the rare and highly sought after pure chronograph ref. 530. The case is very well preserved with nicely balanced lugs, all hallmarks crisp and intact and with an uninterrupted dial. It is furthermore delivered with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of manufacture in 1944 with a slivered dial, raised gold hour-markers and tachometer scale and its subsequent date of sale on 8th December 1945.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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Σ997

Ref. 530
A very rare, attractive and large yellow gold chronograph wristwatch

Circa 1945
36.5mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$780,000 - 1,400,000 
€85,100-153,000
$100,000-179,000

Sold for HK$1,125,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: X

Hong Kong Auction 10 July 2020