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Lot Essay
Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with the actual dial in 1946 and its subsequent sale on 28 September 1948.
Throughout the 20th century chronograph wristwatches saw increasing popularity as a reaction to the need of functionalism dictated by modern society. Over the years, chronographs became more and more symbols of success for businessman, industrialists and sportsmen. Since the early 1930's when Patek Philippe took on regular production of wristwatch chronographs, the majority of such models were cased in gold. Whereas yellow gold was the distinguished standard for such models, pink gold was often reserved for the South American market. Examples in stainless steel and white gold are exceedingly rare, platinum, the heaviest and most precious of all metals, was only used to case a handful precision chronograph movements.
The present watch is a reference 1579, a model which was introduced in 1943 and of which only 3 examples in platinum are known today. Interestingly, all pieces from this small series bear consecutive case numbers (645'564 to 645'566), of which this watch is the last one. The present chronograph was last time offered publicly in 1989 but none of the other two have not been on the market since 1998. Reference 1579 takes a unique position in the production of chronographs at Patek Philippe, as it is not only one of the largest models with a diameter of 36mm but also the only one with facetted lugs. The present watch's extremely original condition combined with its smooth, elegant and yet masculine look renders it a fantastic core piece for any collection.
Throughout the 20th century chronograph wristwatches saw increasing popularity as a reaction to the need of functionalism dictated by modern society. Over the years, chronographs became more and more symbols of success for businessman, industrialists and sportsmen. Since the early 1930's when Patek Philippe took on regular production of wristwatch chronographs, the majority of such models were cased in gold. Whereas yellow gold was the distinguished standard for such models, pink gold was often reserved for the South American market. Examples in stainless steel and white gold are exceedingly rare, platinum, the heaviest and most precious of all metals, was only used to case a handful precision chronograph movements.
The present watch is a reference 1579, a model which was introduced in 1943 and of which only 3 examples in platinum are known today. Interestingly, all pieces from this small series bear consecutive case numbers (645'564 to 645'566), of which this watch is the last one. The present chronograph was last time offered publicly in 1989 but none of the other two have not been on the market since 1998. Reference 1579 takes a unique position in the production of chronographs at Patek Philippe, as it is not only one of the largest models with a diameter of 36mm but also the only one with facetted lugs. The present watch's extremely original condition combined with its smooth, elegant and yet masculine look renders it a fantastic core piece for any collection.
