Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII Hong Kong Friday, May 24, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1943
    Reference No: 570
    Movement No: 864’410
    Case No: 298‘329
    Model Name: Calatrava, "Calatravone"
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'''120 SC, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold pin buckle
    Dimensions: 35mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the configuration of the pink dial and date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1943 and its subsequent date of sale on 29th July 1944.

  • Catalogue Essay

    During its more than thirty years of production, the Patek Philippe ref. 570 was cased in predominantly in yellow gold and rarely in pink gold, white gold, stainless steel and platinum. All cases for the reference were made by Antoine Gerlach, a prolific mid-century casemaker company, known for producing watch cases with beautiful sharp case lines, as seen on the reference 96, 3448 and pocket watch reference 844.

    Over the course of time, the production of the reference 570 has evolved to manifest a multitude of dial variations, combined with either subsidiary or sweep centre seconds, the latter with calibre 12 SC or 27 SC. The present reference 570 features a very rare case, dial and movement combination.

    The pink gold case houses an exquisite “two-tone” pink dial with Arabic and baton numerals. The enamel signature and outer minute ring on the dial remain beautifully raised even with the passage of time. Inside the case, it is driven by the first series manual calibre 12'''120 SC, a sophisticated indirect centre seconds mechanism modified by Victorin Piguet, which is one of the earliest movements to feature central sweep seconds in the history of watchmaking.

    To the best of our knowledge, only 36 examples of reference 570 in pink gold with pink dial are known publicly on the auction market, and only 5 examples were fitted with an indirect seconds mechanism.

    Remarkably elegant, iconic and rare, the present “pink on pink” example is preserved in excellent condition with beautiful proportions, and well-preserved brushed and polished surfaces. It is further enhanced by a very crisp initials engraving “J.P.C.” on the case back, and strong hallmarks on the case band and upper left lug.

  • 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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1037

Ref. 570
A very fine and one of only five known pink gold wristwatch with indirect center seconds and two-tone pink dial

1943
35mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$450,000 - 900,000 
€53,900-108,000
$57,700-115,000

Sold for HK$647,700

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031
WatchesHK@phillips.com
 

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+ 852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com
 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2024