Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: Circa 1950s Reference No: 1578 Movement No: 702’708 Case No: 679’486 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27SC, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Gilt pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
Released in 1943, the Patek Philippe ref. 1578 is most notable for its fancy “spider” lugs or commonly known as the “time-only” counterpart of the coveted ref. 1579 chronograph. Produced until approximately 1965, the reference was only available in 18K yellow and pink gold, case made by Wenger with two variants, a version with small seconds and a version with center seconds. The reference was released in a total of three series for examples with small seconds and two series for examples featuring center seconds.
Examples with center seconds:
1st Series – (1943 – 1950) equipped with caliber 12 SCi
2nd Series – (1949 – 1965) equipped with caliber 27SC
The present example Patek Philippe ref. 1578 in 18K yellow gold from the second series is offered here in impeccable condition boasting an extremely crisp case with thick and defined “spider” lugs and a very clean dial.
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.