Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1953 Reference No: 530 Movement No: 868'730 Case No: 514'605 Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 36.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckled signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe service tag and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1953 and its subsequent sale on May 5, 1956.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 530 was first launched in 1937 and remains one of the rarest chronograph models manufactured by the firm. Even though it takes design cues from its sister model, reference 130, the case size of reference 530 remains substantial even to today’s standards with a whopping 36.5mm. diameter which wears even larger due to its relatively thin bezel. It was available either as a chronograph or time-only model.
The present watch is cased in pink gold, which is much rarer than its yellow gold sibling. Research shows that we only know 16 examples of reference 530s cased in this precious metal, with an approximate total production number of 30 pieces, making the present watch an exceedingly rare specimen.
Showcasing wide, thick lugs and a hallmark beneath the lug, this chronograph wristwatch has been preserved in excellent condition, particularly when one considers the age of the timepiece.
Furthermore, the beautiful dial is also preserved in excellent condition with barely any signs of aging. It displays a "short" signature which is correct. One would expect a watch, fitted with a snap-on case back to be exposed to the elements, and thus tarnished and spotted heavily. However, this dial is crisp despite its age, and complete with raised hard enamel graphics. Furthermore, it was previously serviced at the Patek Philippe factory and still retains its factory servicing tag.
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.
