Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1949 Reference No: 530 Movement No: 867’693 Case No: 511’614 Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13-130, 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 36.5mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch raised hour markers in gold in 1949 and its subsequent sale on August 16, 1950.
Catalogue Essay
While current-production timepieces usually feature large cases, with diameters easily exceeding 38mm, the trend was very much different in the first half of the century. Wrist timepieces usually remained below 35mm, with the norm being between 31 and 33mm. This is why reference 530 is a highly collectible “anomaly” featuring an oversize-for-the-time 36.5mm cases. Such a large size resulted in a much more restricted production than their smaller counterparts as the demand veered toward the latter. This, combined with the modern dimension, results in ref. 530 being one of the most collectible and wearable vintage Patek Philippe model.
Reference 530 is curiously declined in two variations: a time-only version, and a chronograph versions, such as the present timepiece. Produced from 1937 to 1962 circa (the chronograph variation), this model is the first example of large Calatrava-style case to be serially produced by the brand. A virtual carbon copy of its smaller sibling reference 130, it maintains all the architectural and mechanical features of the latter: a Calatrava-style case with downturned lugs, a concave bezel and the caliber 13-130. Know so far in yellow and pink gold, as well as stainless steel, the gold cases were all made by geneva-based casemaker Crosier (casemaker number 5, in a key). A quirk of this model is that it can feature two different lugs designs: one feature a lug gap of 21.5mm, and another one with a 19mm (such as the present watch) gap, granting it a more masculine, vaguely tonneau-style feeling.
Production of the model is extremely restricted: a total of about 140 pieces is estimated to have left the factory, while - for the sake of comparison - its smaller brethren ref. 130 is estimated to have been made in a total of circa 1500 pieces. Out of these 140 examples, the pink gold production amounts to about 30 pieces - making this one of the scarcest serially produced pink gold pure chronograph wristwatches by Patek Philippe - about half of which has reappeared on the market.
When the watch originally appeared on the market the dial was showing sign of aging, it has been professionally removed and bringing it back the watch to its original sheen and beauty.
Featuring an exceptionally sharp case, with crisp hallmark to the band, and an equally impressive dial, this timepiece would be counted among the crown jewels of any of the most important vintage watches collections in the world.
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.