Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1943 Reference No: 130 Movement No: 863'135 Case No: 630'709 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Mechanical, 13''', 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Brown Patek Philippe leather strap Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 33 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with raised gold hour markers and tachymetre scale in 1943 and its subsequent sale on 21 July 1943. Literature: For another example of a reference 130, please see Patek Philippe Museum Patek Philippe Watches Volume II, page 265.
Catalogue Essay
The reference 130, offered here for sale, is unquestionably one of the best and most unusual to be offered in recent years. Its most striking feature is the two-tone dial, where the centre has aged with a fabulous lemon patina that really alters the look and feel of the watch. The outer tachymetre scale has a lovely silvered finish, which is contrasting with its lemon centre. The case retains its original proportions to an exceptional degree, displaying sharp edges and very crisp gold marks to the band and under the lugs. A highly charismatic collector's watch, fresh to the market and in wonderful original condition. Reference 130 today is one of Patek Philippe's landmark models and was in production from 1934 until the mid-1960s.
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.