Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1951 Reference No: 1579 Movement No: 868’214 Case No: 668’577 Model Name: Anse a Ragno Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13’’’ CH, 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives dated August 2024 confirming production of the present watch in 1951, and its subsequent sale on July 19th, 1952.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe’s landmark vintage chronographs include the references 130, 533, 591, 1463, 530 and 1579 with the references 591 and 1579 standing out for their exceptional and unusual sculptural lugs. The reference 1579 is also referred to as the “spider” lug chronograph featuring one of the most impressive case designs from the mid-20th century. Released in 1943 at Basel and in production until 1964, the oversized, 36mm diameter Wenger case with faceted downturned lugs and rectangular chronograph pushers has an unconventional look that remains sophisticated with an elegant appeal.
The present example is in excellent condition and while the majority of chronographs have speed related scales like the tachymeter printed on the dial, the present example features the rarer pulsometer scale intended for a doctor. Research indicates this chronograph is one of five gold reference 1579 known to the market with such a dial. When it was first offered on the market in 1994, it was fitted with a dial with tachymeter scale. As the Extract from the Archives from August 2024 confirms the watch’s correctness with this pulsations dial, one can assume a previous owner wanted to return the watch to its original configuration, hunting down a correct pulsations dial with Arabic and square hour markers, matching the production date of the watch.
Patek Philippe’s vintage line of mid-20th century chronographs are cherished by collectors for their rarity, elegance and classic styling, with the reference 1579 one of the largest and most unique highly appreciated by connoisseurs.
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.