Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1929 Reference No: 130 Movement No: 198'334 Case No: 611'982 Model Name: "Mono Pulsante" Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 20 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 33mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming date of production in 1929 with black dial and date of sale on November 1, 1935
Catalogue Essay
There are times when we reunite with a timepiece like a long lost friend. We are delighted that the present lot is back with us at Phillips, after having been sold by us almost 14 years ago during our Geneva sale in November 2002.
Nostalgia aside, we are thrilled to have the present lot back as it is the only known example of a Reference 130 single pusher chronograph fitted with a black dial. The reference 130 is a pivotal Patek Philippe design that evolved over time, first produced as a single pusher, and later incorporating two pushers. Offered in gold and steel, the steel cases were designed shorter, broader lugs that was a touch more sporty than gold cased models.
Originally housed in tonneau-shaped cases made in the 1920s, these movements, produced by the great Victorin Piguet of the Vallée de Joux, Patek Philippe instead sold them in round-shaped cases due to the society’s changing tastes.
Timeless is often used to describe a classical timepiece yet the present lot is more than timeless, it is perfectly contemporary and relevant for today as it was 80 years ago when it was first sold. Its elegant round case, elongated lugs and high bezel provide for a superbly distinguished look with no extra pushers disrupting the perfect equilibrium of the case. Yet the two sub-dials bring panache and playfulness to the dial providing for an arresting visual effect.
The rarity of the present lot cannot be underscored enough, as it is the only reference 130 single button chronograph known today with a black dial. In the 1990s, with renewed focus on wristwatch collecting, the owner of this superb timepiece asked Patek Philippe to replace the original dial with a black dial featuring Arabic numerals at 12 and 6. Patek Philippe accepted this request (something the brand rarely does) and turned to Stern, the makers of the original dial from 1935 to bring it to life.
Since its first sale in 2002, the present lot has remained and been lovingly cared for in one of the world’s most prominent private collections.
The ultimate condition and the uniqueness of the present lot make it extremely coveted by savvy collectors, and the chance that we see it resurface in the next decade is rare.
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.