Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1961 Reference No: 1578 Movement No: 709'177 Case No: 2'616'503 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Mechanical, 27 SC, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Black Patek Philippe crocodile leather strap Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 35 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present watch in 1961 and its subsequent sale on 11 August 1961.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 1578, along with its chronograph sibling reference 1579, is characterized and instantly recognizable by its spider lugs.
Produced from 1943 until approximately 1965, reference 1578 was typically cased in yellow gold, white gold and pink gold. The model featured both subsidiary seconds, or sweep center seconds, such as the present watch. Produced in two separate generations, the former features caliber 12 SCI, while the latter is fitted with caliber 27SC.
The present watch, still retaining its angular and sharp lugs with eye catching bevels, features hallmarks punched deep into the sides of the lugs, attesting to its original 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.