Patek Philippe - Phillips & Blackbird: SPORTS Hong Kong Sunday, May 26, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1949
    Reference No: 1579
    Movement No: 867'573
    Case No: 654’222
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13”’, 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold buckle
    Dimensions: 36 mm diameter
    Signed: Case and movement signed. Dial double signed Patek Philippe and Freccero
    Accessories: With Patek Philippe original certificate stamped by Freccero and brown presentation box. Further delivered with Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1949 and its subsequent sale on December 15, 1949.

  • Catalogue Essay

    A timeless model — the Patek Philippe ref. 1579 is definitely one of Patek Philippe’s sportier models from the late 1940s with a clean dial design, larger case, chronograph movement, and tachymeter scale. Introduced 7 years after the ref. 130, the ref. 1579 features a case that measures a full 3 mm larger than its preceding model, enabling better legibility in a sports event.

    The ref. 1579 is immediately distinguished by its gorgeously faceted "spider lugs" ("anse a ragno" in Italian), thanks to the intriguing resemblance of the watch profile to the silhouette of an arachnid. While the appearance granted to the watch by the spider lugs is very attractive, equally unusual, and by all means unmissable, is its dial which is double signed by Patek Philippe and Freccero — a highly renowned South American retailer based in Montevideo, Uruguay which is still in business today.

    The dial configuration of the present watch belongs to the second series created by the manufacturer, and is a Mark 1 of such series as its railway track is not complete. Only seven examples of reference 1579 in pink gold, including the present lot, have appeared to the market with the Freccero signature on the dial. Among these extremely rare pieces, only two of them have enamel indexes and this watch is the only known piece to come with its box and original certificate. The case retains its elegant angles, and has wondrously oxidized with an awe-inspiring layer of natural patina, not unlike a majestic testimony of time.

  • 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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864

Ref. 1579
A very attractive and rare pink gold chronograph wristwatch with “spider” lugs, tachymeter scale, original certificate and box, retailed by Freccero

1949
36 mm diameter
Case and movement signed. Dial double signed Patek Philippe and Freccero

Estimate
HK$780,000 - 1,560,000 
€89,800-180,000
$100,000-200,000

Sold for HK$2,125,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
thomasperazzi@phillips.com
+852 2318 2001
 

Phillips & Blackbird: SPORTS

Hong Kong Auction 27 May 2019