Reference 1491 was one of those extremely charismatic watches made by Patek Philippe in the 40s. Not immediately obvious at first sight, the avant garde design shows all its splendor and originality when looked at the side. The unusual and playful scroll lugs give the watch an inimitable disruptive look much more in line with designs from the 1950s.
Launched in 1940, reference 1491 had been produced in two versions, the first series housing calibre 12-120 and featuring small seconds, the second series presented in 1943, housing calibre 27SC with center sweep seconds but always with its very distinctive lugs.
Nicknamed by collectors "Riccio" meaning lock as the scroll lugs are similar to a curly lock of hair, the reference 1491 is also nicknamed "Fernandel" by French collectors as the famous comedian was known to proudly wear this reference.
However, reference 1491 is not just about creativity and design. The caliber 27SC housed within is in the purest Geneva tradition with its curving bridges and superb finish as testified by the Geneva seal stamped on it.
The present watch embodies avant garde flair and panache. This is only the 29th reference 1491 with calibre 27SC to appear on the market, and it definitely has its place in a well curated collection.