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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial, applied Breguet numerals and tachometer scale in 1949 and sold 11th October of the following year.
To the best of our knowledge, this watch has never before been offered in public.
Reference 1463 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by O. Patrizzi, vol. II, plate 456, p. 107.
No name is more synonymous with the word mysterious than Howard Hughes (December 24, 1905 - April 5, 1976). An influential aviator, entrepreneur and movie producer, Hughes inherited 75 of his father's estate upon his sudden death when Howard was 18. Left a million-dollar estate and control of the Sharp-Hughs Tool Company, Howard and his new wife soon left their home in Texas and moved to Hollywood. Hughes spent much of the next 20 with interests in the film industry. His 1928 film Two Arabian Knights won the 1928 Oscar for Best Comedy Direction and other hits included Scarface (1932) and The Outlaws (1943). Howard Hughes took control of RKO Motion Pictures in 1948.
While known for his interest in Hollywood and the film industry, Hughes is best known as an aviation pioneer and for his love of flying. He was not a stellar student but skilled in mathematics and had a passion for mechanics and design. These skills propelled Hughes to the forefront of the aviation industry. He set several air records including a 1938 world record round the globe flight in 91 hours, beating the previous record by four hours. He went on to produce and finance many types aircrafts including designs with both Boeing and Lockheed. His most famous craft was the Spruce Goose (H-4 Hercules), the largest flying machine at the time with a wing span of over 319 feet. In 1939 Hughes purchased controlling interest in TWA and remained in control until his removal in 1960. He also established the Hughes Aerospace which ultimately became the Hughes Space and Communication Group.
By the 1950's Hughes had begun to show signs paranoia and the remaining twenty years of his life were spent living as a recluse in various luxury hotels around the world. He died on April 5, 1976 enroute from Acapulco Mexico to Houston Texas for medical attention.
To the best of our knowledge, this watch has never before been offered in public.
Reference 1463 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by O. Patrizzi, vol. II, plate 456, p. 107.
No name is more synonymous with the word mysterious than Howard Hughes (December 24, 1905 - April 5, 1976). An influential aviator, entrepreneur and movie producer, Hughes inherited 75 of his father's estate upon his sudden death when Howard was 18. Left a million-dollar estate and control of the Sharp-Hughs Tool Company, Howard and his new wife soon left their home in Texas and moved to Hollywood. Hughes spent much of the next 20 with interests in the film industry. His 1928 film Two Arabian Knights won the 1928 Oscar for Best Comedy Direction and other hits included Scarface (1932) and The Outlaws (1943). Howard Hughes took control of RKO Motion Pictures in 1948.
While known for his interest in Hollywood and the film industry, Hughes is best known as an aviation pioneer and for his love of flying. He was not a stellar student but skilled in mathematics and had a passion for mechanics and design. These skills propelled Hughes to the forefront of the aviation industry. He set several air records including a 1938 world record round the globe flight in 91 hours, beating the previous record by four hours. He went on to produce and finance many types aircrafts including designs with both Boeing and Lockheed. His most famous craft was the Spruce Goose (H-4 Hercules), the largest flying machine at the time with a wing span of over 319 feet. In 1939 Hughes purchased controlling interest in TWA and remained in control until his removal in 1960. He also established the Hughes Aerospace which ultimately became the Hughes Space and Communication Group.
By the 1950's Hughes had begun to show signs paranoia and the remaining twenty years of his life were spent living as a recluse in various luxury hotels around the world. He died on April 5, 1976 enroute from Acapulco Mexico to Houston Texas for medical attention.