Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII Hong Kong Saturday, June 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1946
    Reference No: 533
    Movement No: 863’979
    Case No: 646’800
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13”’, 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 33mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Delivered with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1946 and its subsequent date of sale on 3rd November 1947.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced in 1937, the Patek Philippe ref. 533 is one of the earliest pure chronograph references released in series sharing strong similarities with the ref. 130. While most components of the reference are almost identical to the ref. 130 including the case dimension at 33mm, dial configurations and caliber 13-130, the most distinctive element that sets the both apart is its rather thick flat coin shaped bezel.

    Very rare, it is estimated that only 330 examples of the reference was produced from 1937 to 1957 across all metals. The reference was encased predominantly in pink gold with an estimated 215 examples, 125 examples in yellow gold and 10 examples in other rare metals. An unusual circumstance, it is rarely seen that pink gold cases were produced in larger quantities than yellow gold examples. It is believed that at the time, the design of the timepiece and its case in pink gold were highly demanded in the southern European and the South American market. Stamped with two rare and unusual Portuguese hallmarks on the caseback, the hallmarks indicate that the present timepiece was imported to Lisbon, Portugal. It is believed that only a handful of examples featuring the two Portuguese hallmarks have appeared in recent times and was utilized between 1938 - 1984.

    Extremely attractive, the ref. 533 is truly a pure chronograph wristwatch that encapsulates the essence of the exciting era of the 1940s. With an elegant case made by Geneva-based master casemaker Emile Vichet featuring elongated lugs, the dials were created by Stern Frères. The present example in 18K pink gold with a silvered dial featuring applied gold hour markers with Roman 12 and 6 numerals is a rare treat for enthusiasts of fine vintage chronograph timepieces. With an attractive and well-preserved case with all four hallmarks intact and deep, this certainly is a hard-to-come-across example of the ever-elegant Patek Philippe ref. 533.

  • 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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918

Ref. 533
An extremely fine and very rare pink gold chronograph wristwatch with Portuguese hallmarks

1946
33mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$450,000 - 650,000 
€48,100-69,400
$57,700-83,300

Sold for HK$882,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII

Hong Kong Auctions 5-6 June 2021