116Σ
Patek Philippe
Ref. 1579
“Anse a Ragno”
A fine, rare and exceptional pink gold chronograph wristwatch with "spider" lugs, two-tone dial and Gay Frères bracelet, retailed by Serpico y Laino
- Estimate
- CHF100,000 - 200,000€92,600 - 185,000$99,100 - 198,000
CHF200,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1950
- Reference No
- 1579
- Movement No
- 867'844
- Case No
- 660'217
- Model Name
- “Anse a Ragno”
- Material
- 18K pink gold
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 13''' 130, 23 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather and 18K pink gold Gay Frères bracelet, max length 180mm.
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18k pink gold Patek Philippe buckle stamped PPCo and 18K clasp stamped SYL, GF and 4.54
- Dimensions
- 36mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, case and bracelet furthermore signed for Serpico y Laino, bracelet also signed Gay Frères
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with raised hour markers in gold in 1950 and its subsequent sale on 22 December 1950.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
This superlative chronograph wristwatch, retailed by Serpico y Laino in Venezuela, is with great certainty among the best examples of reference 1579 to ever appear on the market. Such statements have become common place today, and some have even banned its use. Yet, there could not be a better way to describe the present watch. Introduced to the market in 1943, the reference most notably features faceted lugs that have been dubbed "spider lugs" by collectors, due to their unusual shape. The model responds particularly badly to polishing, as even the lightest intervention dulls its sharp angles.
At first glance, one cannot help but marvel at the extraordinary condition of the case. It is, in our opinion, among the few examples to have remained in unpolished condition today. Featuring an incredibly sharp hallmark to the band and beneath the lug, the watch also displays a deep assay mark punched next to the pusher, which is visible without the aid of a loupe. Furthermore, there is an S&L engraving and 18K gold mark on the case back. Such markings were always applied to the case back of South American imported watches. One can surmise that frequent wear has caused the case back engravings to dull slightly, which is fitting as pink gold is particularly soft and malleable.
The dial is also preserved in excellent condition, and the enamel remains nicely raised. Its two-tone design is truly stunning, with the inner railroad track slightly more silver in nature than the rest of the dial, contrasting with the pink gold numerals and markers.
Even rarer still, the heavy and luxurious pink gold bracelet is also stamped SYL for the retailer. Manufactured by Gay Frères, the clasp is stamped 4.54 for the fourth quarter of 1954. One can conclude the bracelet was ordered by the client as a special addition to complement his or her beautiful wristwatch.
Such incredibly preserved examples hardly ever grace the market. Yet, to have one, retailed by Serpico y Laino and further accompanied with a retailer-stamped Gay Frères bracelet, is virtually unheard of. Indeed, the present watch is the only known pink gold reference 1579 retailed by Serpico Y Laino, which propels this watch to new heights in both scholarship and collectibility.
At first glance, one cannot help but marvel at the extraordinary condition of the case. It is, in our opinion, among the few examples to have remained in unpolished condition today. Featuring an incredibly sharp hallmark to the band and beneath the lug, the watch also displays a deep assay mark punched next to the pusher, which is visible without the aid of a loupe. Furthermore, there is an S&L engraving and 18K gold mark on the case back. Such markings were always applied to the case back of South American imported watches. One can surmise that frequent wear has caused the case back engravings to dull slightly, which is fitting as pink gold is particularly soft and malleable.
The dial is also preserved in excellent condition, and the enamel remains nicely raised. Its two-tone design is truly stunning, with the inner railroad track slightly more silver in nature than the rest of the dial, contrasting with the pink gold numerals and markers.
Even rarer still, the heavy and luxurious pink gold bracelet is also stamped SYL for the retailer. Manufactured by Gay Frères, the clasp is stamped 4.54 for the fourth quarter of 1954. One can conclude the bracelet was ordered by the client as a special addition to complement his or her beautiful wristwatch.
Such incredibly preserved examples hardly ever grace the market. Yet, to have one, retailed by Serpico y Laino and further accompanied with a retailer-stamped Gay Frères bracelet, is virtually unheard of. Indeed, the present watch is the only known pink gold reference 1579 retailed by Serpico Y Laino, which propels this watch to new heights in both scholarship and collectibility.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since 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.
Browse Maker