Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1951 Reference No: 1513 Movement No: 968'426 Case No: 651'425 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'''-120, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel buckle Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Extract from the Archives confirming production year of the present watch in 1951 and its subsequent sale on October 25, 1951
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe wristwatches encased in steel were initially less expensive than those encased in precious metals, however, the rarity of each piece has added significant value over the years.
The present 1513 by Patek Philippe encased in stainless steel is very rare amongst collectors, with only 7 known to date. It is fitted with a silvered dial with Arabic and baton hour markers, and a subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock for constant seconds. The lugs are thin with a beautiful curvature, making this piece extremely elegant on one's wrist.
The present example is extremely rare and in well-preserved overall condition.
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.