Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: Circa 1930s
    Reference No: 130
    Movement No: 863’092
    Case No: 653’999
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13”’, 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 33mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Literature: A similar example is illustrated in Patek Philippe Steel Watches, John Goldberger, pg. 228-229

  • Catalogue Essay

    With a heritage of manufacturing some of the most important chronograph references ever, vintage Patek Philippe chronographs are on a class of its own. The reference 130 is widely regarded by collectors of where it all began. Being the very first serially produced chronograph wristwatch under the helms of the new owners, the Stern family, the ref. 130 was officially launched two years under the acquisition in 1934.

    Inspired from its Calatrava models, the ref. 130 was first released as a monopusher chronograph and later with start/stop and reset pushers. The reference was made available in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel and a small number of rare examples in other metals. With its stainless steel examples much rarer than its gold counterparts, the three piece snapback case were made by three different casemakers at the time including Wenger, Croisier and Dubois. It is estimated that only 270 examples of the reference in stainless steel were ever produced from 1934 – 1964, with circa 100 examples known to the public.

    Few chronographs of the 20th century enjoy such iconic status amongst scholars and collectors as reference 130 does. In fact, its shape and dial design could be from anywhere between the second half of the 20th century to the early 21st century. Few believe that they’re looking at a watch spanning three quarters of a century of age.

    The present example Patek Philippe ref. 130 in stainless steel with Arabic and nipple indexes is a wonderful example from the third series with a case made by Wenger identifiable via the absence of pinholes.

  • 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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Σ1063

Ref. 130
A very fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch

Circa 1930s
33mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$390,000 - 780,000 
€49,700-99,400
$50,000-100,000

Sold for HK$529,200

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV

Hong Kong Auction 27 - 28 May 2022