Patek Philippe - The 2021 New York Watch Auction New York Saturday, December 11, 2021 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1943
    Reference No: 591
    Movement No: 863'182
    Case No: 632'641
    Model Name: “Fagiolino”
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle stamped PP
    Dimensions: 34mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by photocopy of Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of this watch with silvered dial, raised gold indexes, and tachymeter scale in 1943 and its subsequent sale on November 9th, 1943.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe first launched reference 591 in 1938. At the time of production, the model was entirely different from anything that the manufacture had ever produced. The case, produced by Wenger, featured "bean" shaped lugs, lovingly dubbed "Fagiolino", or "little bean". The angular, and relatively sharp lines starkly contrasted with the smooth Calatrava design of reference 130 and 533. Reference 591 was also larger than its chronograph siblings, boasting a 34 millimeter case diameter, giving the watch a modern aesthetic today.

    Reference 591 was produced in exceedingly small numbers. In fact, it is the rarest production chronograph model that the firm produced throughout the 1930s and 1950s. Research suggests that less than 17 examples cased in yellow gold have appeared on the market thus far, with approximately 34 examples estimated to have been produced in total.

    With a beautiful silvered dial with raised hard enamel print, elegant bean-shaped lugs extending out from the case giving a dynamic wrist presence, and extreme rarity, the present 1940s Patek Philippe chronograph is a superb rarity to add to a new collector’s treasure trove.

  • 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.

    View More Works

109

Ref. 591
A superbly elegant and extremely scarce yellow gold chronograph with tachymeter scale and bean-shaped lugs

1943
34mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$40,000 - 80,000 
CHF37,000-74,000
€35,400-70,900
HK$312,000-624,000

Sold for $119,700

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

The 2021 New York Watch Auction

New York Auction 11 - 12 December 2021