Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: Circa 1935 Reference No: 130 Movement No: 860’025 Case No: 613’275 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal 13"', 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 33mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed. Accessories: Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1935 and its subsequent sale on March 3rd, 1937.
Catalogue Essay
A tour of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva reveals a most impressive collection of timepieces, reflecting the brand's rich heritage and historical journey. This exhibition highlights the manufacturer's dedication to preserving its legacy, especially evident in its display of vintage chronographs ranging from early pocket watches to wristwatches.
A fan-favorite complication, the standard chronograph was first encased in a wristwatch by Patek Philippe in 1924. The watch featured an officer’s case and displayed totalizers in an unusual configuration at 12 and 6 o’clock. In fact, Patek Philippe had designed and sold a split-seconds chronograph, possibly a prototype, the year before. This watch had an independent seconds hand that could be stopped to measure an interval, then released to synchronize with the continuously running chronograph seconds hand. It also featured a monopusher design, with a single button on the case band controlling the start, stop, and reset functions of the chronograph.
Single-button chronographs are some of the most exceptional finds within the prestigious range of complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches, which is already an elite category in the world of horology. These exceptionally rare chronographs feature the renowned and superbly finished 13''' ébauche from Victorin-Piguet of Le Sentier, one of the most well-known ebauche-makers of the time. Extremely rare and highly sought after, research indicates that only 27 single button chronograph wristwatches were ever produced by the firm, one of them being the present example.
Like later reference 130 models in gold, the present single-pusher chronograph from 1935 is housed within a 33mm case, which was considered to be quite large for the period. Interestingly the small subdials and the lack of chronograph pushers bring the watch balance, refinement and elegance. This particular watch stands out even more with its outstanding case condition and thick lug profiles, bestowing considerable wrist-presence. Elevating the present lot’s importance and aesthetic beauty is its sector dial. All of the dial’s printing is, of course, raised hard enamel, with all graphic details first engraved by hand and subsequently filled with black enamel powder. Then it is baked in a high-temperature oven multiple times to solidify, creating the classic look of a vintage Stern dial that required the utmost know-how from skilled artisans.
The exceptional rarity and historical importance of the present watch makes it an outstanding opportunity for the discerning collector.
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.
