Patek Philippe - The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT New York Saturday, June 10, 2023 | Phillips

The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT

New York Auction 10 - 11 June 2023

  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: Circa 1950
    Reference No: 1436
    Movement No: 869’215
    Case No: 2’642’013
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13’’’, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
    Dimensions: 33mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe is well known for making some of the finest chronograph watches, from their first chronograph pocket watch made in 1857, to their first known chronograph wristwatch in 1924. A rare variant of the traditional chronograph watch is the split-seconds chronograph mechanism, which is particularly useful for timing two events simultaneously, such as horse and automobile races, along with measuring scientific experiments. To this day, the split-seconds chronograph remains one of the most complicated mechanisms made by the famed Geneva brand, with their earliest known split-seconds chronograph wristwatch dating to 1923.

    Patek Philippe introduced the reference 1436 split-seconds chronograph in 1938. The first generation cases were produced by Emile Vichet, while later generation cases, such as the present watch were made by Ponti, Gennari & Cie. Furthermore, second generation examples like the present featured a co-axial button within the crown to split and reunite the split chronograph hands. The model is one of the most elegant references ever produced by the firm, with the rattrapante chronograph mechanism housed in a 33 millimeter diameter case. Research suggests approximately 140 examples were produced throughout the reference's approximate 33 years (1938-1971) of manufacture, meaning an average of 4 watches were produced each year. This is an exceedingly limited number, even by the production standards of the mid-to-late 20th century. The present watch is one of only 10 known examples with co-axial pushers and index dial to be encased in yellow gold.

    Fresh-to-the-market and consigned by the family of the original owner, this reference 1436 is in excellent overall condition with crisp hallmarks and an intact hand etched inventory number “69793” to the underside of the top left lug. The case proportions are full and robust, while all of the dial’s wonderful, raised hard enamel printing is perfectly intact and well preserved.

    This reference 1436 has passed through three generations; from grandfather to father, and father to son, both of whom were U.S. squash champions with the father inducted into the U.S. Squash Hall of Fame in 2000, and featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1958. The split-seconds mechanism is a legend amongst collectors for its mechanical complexity, and this well-preserved example is a trophy wristwatch for the connoisseur.

    PROPERTY OF THE FAMILY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER

  • 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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Patek Philippe

Ref. 1436
A fresh-to-the-market, very rare, and extremely fine yellow gold split-seconds chronograph wristwatch with tachymeter scale

Circa 1950
33mm Diameter
Case, dial, and movement signed

Estimate
$100,000 - 200,000 
CHF90,000-180,000
€92,400-185,000
HK$782,000-1,560,000
S$134,000-269,000

Sold for $266,700

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT

New York Auction 10 - 11 June 2023