45
Patek Philippe
Ref. 1569
An oversized, well-preserved, and highly attractive yellow gold wristwatch with faceted lugs
Full-Cataloguing
• Rare oversized model measuring 36mm in diameter
• Highly attractive dial with two-tone effect
Patek Philippe timepieces from the mid 20th-century hold a special attraction for their masculine appeal, understated elegance, and exceptional quality. Their desirability has stood the test of time, becoming icons amongst their peers and for generations produced extremely well-finished, precision timepieces that are appreciated and sought after by collectors and serious enthusiasts. While collector are well aware of some of the most important time only wristwatches like the classic and robust reference 570 (lot 49), iconic automatic reference 2526 with enamel dial (lot 47) and rare reference 3417 “Amagnetic (lot 23), the brand is celebrated for their long lineage of exemplary time only watches and the present reference 1569 is the first example offered by Phillips at auction over our first decade.
The reference 1569 was in production for a short seven year period from 1943 to 1950 and offered in a generous 36mm diameter case in both yellow gold and pink gold. The watch has a classic round case and elegant lines with slightly sloping lugs. The present model is very well-preserved with a highly attractive silvered dial with long Patek Philippe & Co. signature. Differing brushed finishes on the inside and outer edge of the dial provide a beautiful two-tone effect. The most probably unpolished case was made by Classicor SA (key number 143), a well-known casemaker used by Patek Philippe in the mid-20th century. The watch is conservative in style with a modern appeal that can be appreciated by collectors today.
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.