Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1937 Reference No: 490/1 Movement No: 831'920 Case No: 615'772 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, tonneau-shaped, cal. 9'''90, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Black crocodile strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel buckle Dimensions: 21.5mm. wide, 44mm. long Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1937 with silvered dial, raised hour markers in steel and its subsequent sale on December 18, 1937.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 490 was in production between 1936 and 1948, consequently it must have been designed sometime in 1934 or 1935. This explains its somewhat transitional style, halfway between the rectangular and cushion-shape case style typical of the 1920s, and the more austere one which will flourish in the late 1930s and throughout the 1940s. A very elegant and wearable reference, it has a remarkable wrist presence with its 44 mm. long case. In fact, this model is one of the longest rectangular wristwatches made by the brand at the time.
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.