Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1942
    Reference No: 533
    Movement No: 863'062
    Case No: 630'668
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Pin buckle
    Dimensions: 33mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by presentation box and Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1942 and its subsequent sale on May 7, 1943.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in 1937, reference 533 with its Calatrava case, flat bezel and elongated lugs is a chronograph instantly recognisable as a Patek Philippe. In production for almost 20 years, only approximately 150 examples are known today making this watch one of the rarest chronograph models of the brand.
    Absolutely fresh to the auction market, the present yellow gold example was found by the descendants of its original owner in a safe in Switzerland where it had slept for decades without seeing day light. Over its course of production, this reference was available with a variety of dials. This example, fitted with a pulsometer scale is by far the rarest as only two other examples have ever appeared at auction. The case has been preserved in very good condition, still retaining two strong hallmarks, one to the side of the lug and one on the case side.
    The very contemporary and masculine look of this watch along with its freshness to the market and untouched condition makes this watch a treasure that would be as exciting to own as it was to be discovered by the family when opening the vault.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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184

Ref. 533
A very attractive and rare yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with pulsation scale and box

1942
33mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 80,000 
€34,500-69,100
$41,300-82,600

Sold for CHF57,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017