.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Rarely today does the Patek Philippe collector have the opportunity to obtain a pink gold reference 1579 ‘Spider Lugs’ chronograph. One of Patek Philippe’s largest chronographs of the era, it is regarded by collectors as a sculptural design masterpiece. The landmark reference 1579 is now one of the most sought after vintage Patek Philippe chronographs due to its impressive presence and wearability.
This beautiful example of the very rare pink gold second series 1579, is one of only around 82 pink gold examples known to the market. The second series watches appeared in Patek Philippe’s catalogues from 1950, the year the present watch was manufactured. The dial features the correct post-1948 ‘short’ Patek Philippe signature.
The lovely pink gold 1579 first appeared at auction in 1989 with a silver finished dial. Though the updated Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives did not clarify on the colour the dial, the present watch, fitted with a pink dial, cosigned by an important collector to Christie’s by end of 2025, was accepted and confirmed by Patek Philippe by the latest extract applied and issued Jan 27th 2026.
Reference 1579
Reference 1579 was launched at the Basel fair in 1943 and remained in Patek Philippe catalogues until 1964. The three-piece cases were made by Wenger, the dials were provided by the renowned Stern Frères, the movements based on the Valjoux 13''' ébauche, renamed by Patek Philippe calibre 13-130 after having been finished to highest standards in the firm’s workshops. Around 470 watches were made in total and of these, approximately 185 were made in pink gold.
Reference 1579 was made in two series:
- 1st series from 1943 to 1949: Arabic and baton numerals, baton or feuille hands
- 2nd series from 1950 to 1964: Arabic and square numerals, feuille hands, such as the present watch
Provenance:
Antiquorum Hong Kong, 28 May 1989, lot 249.
Literature:
For further examples of the Ref. 1579 see:
Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, 1998 edition, page 265.
Patek Philippe Museum Vol. II by Patek Philippe, 2014 edition, pp. 267-268.
Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Watches by John Goldberger, 2010 edition, pp. 258-267.
Blue Book 1 by Eric Tortella, 2018 edition, p. 354-391.
This beautiful example of the very rare pink gold second series 1579, is one of only around 82 pink gold examples known to the market. The second series watches appeared in Patek Philippe’s catalogues from 1950, the year the present watch was manufactured. The dial features the correct post-1948 ‘short’ Patek Philippe signature.
The lovely pink gold 1579 first appeared at auction in 1989 with a silver finished dial. Though the updated Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives did not clarify on the colour the dial, the present watch, fitted with a pink dial, cosigned by an important collector to Christie’s by end of 2025, was accepted and confirmed by Patek Philippe by the latest extract applied and issued Jan 27th 2026.
Reference 1579
Reference 1579 was launched at the Basel fair in 1943 and remained in Patek Philippe catalogues until 1964. The three-piece cases were made by Wenger, the dials were provided by the renowned Stern Frères, the movements based on the Valjoux 13''' ébauche, renamed by Patek Philippe calibre 13-130 after having been finished to highest standards in the firm’s workshops. Around 470 watches were made in total and of these, approximately 185 were made in pink gold.
Reference 1579 was made in two series:
- 1st series from 1943 to 1949: Arabic and baton numerals, baton or feuille hands
- 2nd series from 1950 to 1964: Arabic and square numerals, feuille hands, such as the present watch
Provenance:
Antiquorum Hong Kong, 28 May 1989, lot 249.
Literature:
For further examples of the Ref. 1579 see:
Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, 1998 edition, page 265.
Patek Philippe Museum Vol. II by Patek Philippe, 2014 edition, pp. 267-268.
Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Watches by John Goldberger, 2010 edition, pp. 258-267.
Blue Book 1 by Eric Tortella, 2018 edition, p. 354-391.