Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1942 Reference No: 736 Movement No: 881'386 Case No: 508'015 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 17"', 18 jewels Dimensions: 55mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by original Certificate of Origin, original invoice from 1943, pouch and Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1942 and its subsequent sale on April 22. 1943.
Catalogue Essay
An array of incredible details add up to make the present pocketwatch an incredible find.
Sold in 1943 the watch not only comes with its original Certificate of Origin and pouch but even more unusually with the original invoice of 245 Swiss Francs dated April 21, 1943.
Elegant in form and function, the present watch is surprising and rare because of its stainless steel case – could it be that with the watch being made in the midst of World War II, the cost of gold for such a large piece was prohibitive? The movement is beautifully finished and bears the prestigious Geneva seal, proof of the painstaking hand finish.
In the 21st century where the wristwatch is king, it is always a pleasure for collectors to see such a lovely and complete example.
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.