Patek Philippe. An extremely rare, large and attractive 18K gold chronograph wristwatch with Breguet numerals

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENÈVE, REF. 530, MOVEMENT NO. 867'650, CASE NO. 511'605, MANUFACTURED IN 1949

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Price Realized

CHF603,000 (Set Currency)
($671,723)

Estimate

CHF250,000 - CHF350,000
($277,003 - $387,805)

Sale Information

Sale 1383 —
Important Watches
14 November 2011
Geneva

Overview
Lot Notes
Features

Lot Description

Patek Philippe. An extremely rare, large and attractive 18K gold chronograph wristwatch with Breguet numerals
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, ref. 530, movement no. 867'650, case no. 511'605, manufactured in 1949
Cal. 13''' nickel-finished lever movement, 23 jewels, swan neck regulator, silvered matte dial, applied gold Breguet numerals, outer railway five minute divisions and tachymetre scale, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30 minutes register, large circular case, downturned lugs, snap on back, two rectangular chronograph buttons in the band, 18K gold Patek Philipp buckle, case, dial and movement signed
36.5 mm. diam.

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Lot Notes

With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with raised Breguet numerals in gold and tachometer scale in 1949 and its subsequent sale on 12 August 1950.
This watch is an extremely well preserved and attractive example of the celebrated reference 530 chronograph wristwatch, distinguished by its incredibly charismatic dial featuring the much sought after Breguet numerals, confirmed by the Extract from the Archives.

This rare find has evidently seldom been used and shows consequently only light signs of surface wear; the case is full and retains its original case proportions to the best extent, highlighted by the sharp edges of the lugs and the crisp hallmarks. With time, the unrestored silvered dial has taken a charismatic, perfect ivory-coloured patina, the hard enamel signature and scales are beautifully raised, all beautifully harmonizing with the applied gold Breguet numerals.

The present watch is furthermore understood to be the only example of a yellow gold reference 530 with Breguet numerals offered publicly. Fresh to the market, this paragon of elegance represents a rare trophy for the connoisseur of unique timepieces signed by Patek Philippe.

Reference 530
Introduced to the market in 1937, reference 530 is one of Patek Philippe's rarest chronograph wristwatches, the majority cased in yellow gold, few examples in pink gold or in stainless steel. This celebrated model is the larger version of the better known reference 130, Patek Philippe's classic chronograph retaining the timeless Calatrava design. Reference 530 however is characterized by its impressive diameter overshadowing its smaller "sister model" by a substantial 4 mm. The yellow gold and the stainless steel variants of this reference are known to have been made with two different bracelet widths between the lugs (19 mm., such as the present watch, or 21.5 mm.). Interestingly, research shows that the pink gold examples exist only with one case type (19 mm.).

Reference 530 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 265.