One of the closest relatives to the Patek Philippe reference 130 that usually takes all the spotlights, the reference 533 can often fly under the radar. Perhaps it is because of its sheer number of only approximately 330 pieces, comparative to the strong 1500 pieces of the ref. 130. Produced only one year apart, the ref. 533 launched in 1937 and stayed in production until 1957. Almost identical from size, calibre, and its casemaker Vichet (Key 9), the ref. 533 differs only by its flat coin shape bezel instead of a concave one, thus giving the watch a strong Calatrava look. According to scholars, an interesting fun fact about this reference is that there are more pink gold produced than yellow gold. Likely due to the fact that pink gold were more in demand within the South American and European market back in the days.

Extremely appealing, research also indicates that only approximately 150 examples are known today, making it one of the rarest chronographs by Patek Philippe to get your hands on. And as of this very specimen, it is blessed with one of the most desirable dials, the sector. To further provide more perspective, it is believed only 12 examples of the ref 533 were fitted with a sector dial, and the present example is one of only six known to the market.

The sector dial has been in use by various Swiss manufacturers for approximately the last 100 years. The first known examples were found on pocket watches at the turn of the century, however as early as 1910 they began to appear on wristwatches, in particular during the First World War used by aviators. The design is a wonderful mix of the Art Deco and Bauhaus schools with two concentric circles, one for hours, and the other for minutes with radial lines creating the sectors. Often the dials were enhanced by various scales like a tachymeter or telemeter. These provided a functionality for aviators during the war, and their tool-like capability would later be of use in manufacturing and the early and growing motor sport field. The sector dial was popular during the 1930s, 40s and 50s, but gradually fell out of favour, however are now popular once again, as exemplified by Patek Philippe’s release of the reference 5296 with sector dial in 2005.

Presenting a superb case with strong hallmarks, its dial is equally well-preserved with its desirable hard enamel long signature and scales. An example that left the manufacture in 1938, this is one of the earlier examples from its production.