Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1955
    Reference No: 1578
    Movement No: 704'638
    Case No: 688'420
    Model Name: "Anse a Ragno”
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 27 SC, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle stamped PPCo
    Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin and Gübelin Bill of Sale dated June 23, 1956 and fitted presentation box. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1955 and its subsequent sale on February 14, 1956.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe produced the reference 1578 from 1943 until approximately 1965. Like its chronograph counterpart reference 1579, reference 1578 is immediately distinguished by its faceted "spider lugs". The model was cased in yellow, pink and white gold, featuring both subsidiary seconds and centre seconds. The centre seconds variant was produced in two series. The first featured indirect sweep centre seconds, while the second featured calibre 27SC.

    Fresh to the auction market, the present watch is distinguished by the presence of its Original Certificate and Bill of Sale from the storied retailer Gübelin, confirming the present watch was sold for 1130 Swiss Francs on June 23rd, 1956. Preserved in excellent condition, the watch bears the retailer's signature above 6 o'clock.

    Most interestingly, the watch was sold to Mr. James K. Kerlin of the US Army based in Stuttgart, Germany, as confirmed by the Gübelin bill of sale.

  • 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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191

Ref. 1578
A rare and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with "spider lugs", original certificate and bill of sale, retailed by Gübelin

1955
35mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF10,000 - 15,000 
€8,600-12,900
$10,300-15,500

Sold for CHF30,000

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

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017