Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1938 Reference No: 733 Movement No: 870’391 Case No: 663’344 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 17”’, 18 jewels Dimensions: 47mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Further accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture in 1938 and its subsequent date of sale on 2nd September 1966
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe produced the reference 733 from 1941 until the early 1950s and scholarship indicates there are eight known models in stainless steel. The model was firmly rooted in the Art Deco movement of the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1930s, the design become more subdued following the Great Depression and there was more focus on new materials like stainless steel, as well as polished surfaces and a streamlined form referred to as Streamline Moderne.
The present watch is an interesting timepiece for the fact that it is a 733, however it was manufactured several years prior to the release of the model, making it the earliest known example and it was not sold until 1966, long after the reference was discontinued. In excellent overall condition with a clean dial, this is a rare opportunity for any collector to own a very moderne watch.
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.