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Lot Essay
Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1939 and its subsequent sale on 5 January 1940. Furthermore delivered with copies of Patek Philippe Geneva invoice dated 12 October 2001 for the overhaul of the watch amounting to SFr. 2'392.75.
Reference 514 was in production from 1934 until 1941. It is thought that the present watch is one of only four examples of this reference in stainless steel to have survived and of which only two are fitted with Breguet numerals.
The rarity of the watch is further enhanced by its excellent overall condition.
The modern, yet typical Art Deco style case was designed to fit around the wrist and is also called "Railway" because of its aerodynamic look and the stepped sides. With its impressive overall length of 44 mm., it is thought to be one of Patek Philippe's longest rectangular wristwatches in stainless steel made to date.
It is interesting to note that the design of Patek Philippe's latest tourbillon wristwatch, the celebrated reference 5101P, was inspired by reference 514. The Ten Day Tourbillon wristwatch was Patek Philippe's showpiece at the Basle 2003 fair and is already seen today as one of the most exclusive collector's watches of the 21st century.
André and Edouard Wenger
According to researches, the stainless steel case of the present watch was manufactured by the famous casemaker Wenger and delivered to Patek Philippe in 1937.
The brothers André and Edouard Wenger, originally from LeLocle, founded their workshop in Geneva in 1912 and were right from start renowned for the extraordinary quality and contemporary design of their cases, supplied to the most important watch companies of the time.
In the 1930s, the Wenger's launched a truly revolutionary project, the production of shaped stainless steel cases and developed, amongst other items, the first reversible wristwatch.
Their designs strongly influenced the creation of wristwatch and pocketwatch cases during the Art Deco period and are still today considered true collector's pieces.
We are indebted to Dr. Helmut Crott respectively TheSourceTECHdata for the valuable help in researching this lot.
Reference 514 was in production from 1934 until 1941. It is thought that the present watch is one of only four examples of this reference in stainless steel to have survived and of which only two are fitted with Breguet numerals.
The rarity of the watch is further enhanced by its excellent overall condition.
The modern, yet typical Art Deco style case was designed to fit around the wrist and is also called "Railway" because of its aerodynamic look and the stepped sides. With its impressive overall length of 44 mm., it is thought to be one of Patek Philippe's longest rectangular wristwatches in stainless steel made to date.
It is interesting to note that the design of Patek Philippe's latest tourbillon wristwatch, the celebrated reference 5101P, was inspired by reference 514. The Ten Day Tourbillon wristwatch was Patek Philippe's showpiece at the Basle 2003 fair and is already seen today as one of the most exclusive collector's watches of the 21st century.
André and Edouard Wenger
According to researches, the stainless steel case of the present watch was manufactured by the famous casemaker Wenger and delivered to Patek Philippe in 1937.
The brothers André and Edouard Wenger, originally from LeLocle, founded their workshop in Geneva in 1912 and were right from start renowned for the extraordinary quality and contemporary design of their cases, supplied to the most important watch companies of the time.
In the 1930s, the Wenger's launched a truly revolutionary project, the production of shaped stainless steel cases and developed, amongst other items, the first reversible wristwatch.
Their designs strongly influenced the creation of wristwatch and pocketwatch cases during the Art Deco period and are still today considered true collector's pieces.
We are indebted to Dr. Helmut Crott respectively TheSourceTECHdata for the valuable help in researching this lot.