Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1951 Reference No: 565 Movement No: 968'311 Case No: 661'202 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Mechanical, 12-120, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Brown Patek Philippe crocodile leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 34.5 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in steel with radium hour markers in 1951 and its subsequent sale on 29 September 1951.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 565 was Patek Philippe's first large-sized water resistant watch, featuring a two-piece case with a dust cap and screw down case back. The reference was available with either subsidiary or sweep centre seconds. The present watch is incredibly rare as it is designed in the 'military' style, with luminous hands and radium markers, the latter of which is stated on the Extract from the Archives. To find an example of reference 565 cased in stainless steel is an absolute rarity itself. However, coupled with such a dial configuration can only be described as extraordinary. The luminous is still intact and perfectly round, perfectly contrasting with the gentlemanly Roman numerals and subsidiary dial. The case is furthermore preserved in excellent, unpolished condition, evidenced by the thick lugs and bezel.
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.