Lot Essay
PROBABLY UNIQUE AND VERY EARLY, THE ONLY KNOWN TIME ONLY REF. 130 WITH ENAMEL DIAL AND SUBSIDIARY SECONDS. RETAILED BY UNION SUIZA, PATEK PHILIPPE’S DISTRIBUTOR IN SPAIN
This watch, the only known example of a reference 130 ‘time only’ with enamel dial and subsidiary seconds is also one of the very earliest specimens of reference 130 ever made and can be considered as one of the rarest early wristwatches by Patek Philippe. As such, it joins the rarefied and exclusive group of ‘one-off’ wristwatches which have become some of the ultimate trophies among vintage Patek Philippe watches. Furthermore, the dial is double signed with both the Patek Philippe & Co. long signature and ‘UNION’ for ‘Union Suiza’, the company’s distributor in Spain.
This historic and important early reference 130 is perhaps a ‘prototype’ or special request watch produced for Union Suiza before the 130 model was finalized and officially released as the now familiar chronograph in 1934. Whatever the reason for its existence, this fascinating timepiece can be regarded as one of the founding watches of the entire reference.
The white enamel dial is extremely unusual for any Patek Philippe watch and on this extremely early yellow gold reference 130 it is quite phenomenal. Although the dial type is not mentioned on the Extract from the Archives, it is evidently original. The Arabic numerals are particularly striking being in a bold Art Deco style and are placed within the ‘railway’ minute track. At the top edge of the large subsidiary seconds is the retailer’s name “UNION”. As the only publicly known ‘time only’ reference 130 with enamel dial and subsidiary seconds, sold in 1935 with a gilt-brass movement made in 1933, it is of immense historical importance in both the history of Patek Philippe and the development of the reference 130. Only one other reference 130 ‘time only’ (with sweep centre seconds and sector dial) is known to exist or have survived, however, the present watch is the only example with an enamel dial, which provides a stunning and entirely individual aesthetic quite unlike any other reference 130. Interestingly, this watch was made for the Spanish market. The dating of the movement suggests that it is possibly one of the first ever reference 130s, or a kind of ‘prototype’ for an unrealized model or a special request piece for Union Suiza. The caliber 12’’’ gilt-brass movement with subsidiary seconds feature was made in 1933, one year before the launch of reference 130. The completed watch was sold on 27 December 1935.
This extraordinary and almost certainly unique reference 130, a key piece in the history of both the model and Patek Philippe is undoubtedly a superb vintage trophy for the collector.
Dial
White enamel with Art Deco Arabic numerals, correct Patek Philippe & Co. long signature for pre-1948 watches, large subsidiary seconds signed on the edge ‘UNION’ for Patek Philippe’s Spanish distributor of the time.
Case
Serial number 612’718, made in 1933 by Emile Vichet, (master mark of number 9 in a key), three-part with snap-on bezel, quite polished after almost 90 years with one hallmark just visible but generally with good proportions.
Movement
Serial number 826’753, caliber 12’’’, made in 1933. Gilt brass LeCoultre ébauche, stamped twice with the Geneva seal, compensation balance.
This watch, the only known example of a reference 130 ‘time only’ with enamel dial and subsidiary seconds is also one of the very earliest specimens of reference 130 ever made and can be considered as one of the rarest early wristwatches by Patek Philippe. As such, it joins the rarefied and exclusive group of ‘one-off’ wristwatches which have become some of the ultimate trophies among vintage Patek Philippe watches. Furthermore, the dial is double signed with both the Patek Philippe & Co. long signature and ‘UNION’ for ‘Union Suiza’, the company’s distributor in Spain.
This historic and important early reference 130 is perhaps a ‘prototype’ or special request watch produced for Union Suiza before the 130 model was finalized and officially released as the now familiar chronograph in 1934. Whatever the reason for its existence, this fascinating timepiece can be regarded as one of the founding watches of the entire reference.
The white enamel dial is extremely unusual for any Patek Philippe watch and on this extremely early yellow gold reference 130 it is quite phenomenal. Although the dial type is not mentioned on the Extract from the Archives, it is evidently original. The Arabic numerals are particularly striking being in a bold Art Deco style and are placed within the ‘railway’ minute track. At the top edge of the large subsidiary seconds is the retailer’s name “UNION”. As the only publicly known ‘time only’ reference 130 with enamel dial and subsidiary seconds, sold in 1935 with a gilt-brass movement made in 1933, it is of immense historical importance in both the history of Patek Philippe and the development of the reference 130. Only one other reference 130 ‘time only’ (with sweep centre seconds and sector dial) is known to exist or have survived, however, the present watch is the only example with an enamel dial, which provides a stunning and entirely individual aesthetic quite unlike any other reference 130. Interestingly, this watch was made for the Spanish market. The dating of the movement suggests that it is possibly one of the first ever reference 130s, or a kind of ‘prototype’ for an unrealized model or a special request piece for Union Suiza. The caliber 12’’’ gilt-brass movement with subsidiary seconds feature was made in 1933, one year before the launch of reference 130. The completed watch was sold on 27 December 1935.
This extraordinary and almost certainly unique reference 130, a key piece in the history of both the model and Patek Philippe is undoubtedly a superb vintage trophy for the collector.
Dial
White enamel with Art Deco Arabic numerals, correct Patek Philippe & Co. long signature for pre-1948 watches, large subsidiary seconds signed on the edge ‘UNION’ for Patek Philippe’s Spanish distributor of the time.
Case
Serial number 612’718, made in 1933 by Emile Vichet, (master mark of number 9 in a key), three-part with snap-on bezel, quite polished after almost 90 years with one hallmark just visible but generally with good proportions.
Movement
Serial number 826’753, caliber 12’’’, made in 1933. Gilt brass LeCoultre ébauche, stamped twice with the Geneva seal, compensation balance.