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Lot Essay
Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1946 and its subsequent sale on February 4th, 1947.
Recently returned from a service in Geneva, the presently offered watch has been restored to its original beauty with a full mechanical cleaning and overhaul by the skilled craftsmen of Patek Philippe.
This fresh to market steel 130 is notable for its full lugs and exceptional case condition. Fortunately left untouched, the case retains its original proportions and it has weathered the tests of time in a near perfect state. The dial, professionally restored during its recent service, matches the beauty of the watch when it first left Patek Philippe in 1947.
This example has a case that was made for Patek Philippe by Bernard Dubois & Cie with lugs made to accommodate a 19 mm strap. The Dubois cases represent the second series of steel 130s to be produced with only 30 examples that have so far surfaced on the market from this series. The first series of 130 cases was made by Croisier and the third series was produced by Wenger.
An Icon in Steel
Patek Philippe steel 130s remain one of the most coveted of all vintage chronographs. The manufacture produced approximately 270 steel examples of the 130 in all three series from 1937 until 1951. In 1947, the presently offered watch would have had a US retail price of $250 (compared to the retail price of the more common yellow gold 130 priced at $600).
It is interesting to note that the lugs of the stainless steel version are different from the yellow, pink or white gold examples. Their slightly thicker but shorter design gives the watch a rather tonneau-shaped design and a more calatrava-like masculine aesthetic.
Examples of ref. 130 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 262 to 264, and in Patek Philippe Museum –Patek Philippe, Volume II, pp. 262-265.
For a detailed description and illustrations of Patek Philippe’s dial production and Stern Frères see Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 424 – 429.
Recently returned from a service in Geneva, the presently offered watch has been restored to its original beauty with a full mechanical cleaning and overhaul by the skilled craftsmen of Patek Philippe.
This fresh to market steel 130 is notable for its full lugs and exceptional case condition. Fortunately left untouched, the case retains its original proportions and it has weathered the tests of time in a near perfect state. The dial, professionally restored during its recent service, matches the beauty of the watch when it first left Patek Philippe in 1947.
This example has a case that was made for Patek Philippe by Bernard Dubois & Cie with lugs made to accommodate a 19 mm strap. The Dubois cases represent the second series of steel 130s to be produced with only 30 examples that have so far surfaced on the market from this series. The first series of 130 cases was made by Croisier and the third series was produced by Wenger.
An Icon in Steel
Patek Philippe steel 130s remain one of the most coveted of all vintage chronographs. The manufacture produced approximately 270 steel examples of the 130 in all three series from 1937 until 1951. In 1947, the presently offered watch would have had a US retail price of $250 (compared to the retail price of the more common yellow gold 130 priced at $600).
It is interesting to note that the lugs of the stainless steel version are different from the yellow, pink or white gold examples. Their slightly thicker but shorter design gives the watch a rather tonneau-shaped design and a more calatrava-like masculine aesthetic.
Examples of ref. 130 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 262 to 264, and in Patek Philippe Museum –Patek Philippe, Volume II, pp. 262-265.
For a detailed description and illustrations of Patek Philippe’s dial production and Stern Frères see Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 424 – 429.