Patek Philippe - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1941/2006
    Reference No: 533
    Movement No: 862'574
    Case No: 623'288
    Material: 18k white gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold buckle
    Dimensions: 33mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Extract from the Archives confirming date of production of the present watch in 1941, the original date of sale on July 2, 1941 and the replacement of the original case by the present, white gold case during a servicing at Patek Philippe’s workshops in 2006
    Literature: The present watch, with its previous case, is illustrated in Madeleine & Osvaldo Patrizzi, Collezionare Orologi da Polso, Una Guida sicura per Investire e Collezionare, p.190, Guido Mondani Editore

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe's reference 533 is easily recognizable by its timeless and masculine look, which it gains thanks to its smooth case lines and prominent cylindrical flat bezel. Introduced in 1937, it was, according to scholarship, only ever cased in yellow gold and pink gold with a variety of different dial designs.

    Today, we know less than 150 examples of reference 533, all case metals combined. This makes reference 533 one of the rarest chronograph models in Patek Philippe’s history – despite being for nearly 20 years in production. The present example, movement no. 862'574, is most likely the only example in the world fitted with an 18k white gold case. In fact, the present white gold case was specifically made for the present watch in 2006, as the previous white gold reference 533 case was found not to meet Patek Philippe's standards. Correspondence and copies of the invoice accompany the watch.

    Hardly anything is rarer and more sought after than limited editions by Patek Philippe. Watches featuring special dial designs, seldomly approved and executed by Patek Philippe, represent the pinnacle of exclusivity to any avid watch collector. A watch like the present reference 533, where a unique case was made for one watch only, is of nearly unheard exclusivity. The present white gold chronograph represents to many collectors the best of two worlds, a design normally reserved to vintage watches with case and condition normally found in contemporary watches.

  • 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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Σ187

Ref. 533
A very rare and highly attractive white gold chronograph wristwatch with silvered satiné-finished dial and Breguet numerals

1941/2006
33mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF200,000 - 400,000 

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm