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Lot Essay
Fresh to the market, the present watch is an exceedingly rare and superbly well-preserved pink gold example of the celebrated and timelessly classic “Grande Calatrava Etanche” reference 565. It is furthermore believed to be the only second pink gold reference 565 retailed by Serpico y Laino to appear at auction to date.
The case has evidently never been subject to careless polishing, impressively demonstrated by the full proportions, crisp hallmarks and engraving to the case back. The dial has never been cosmetically enhanced and displays a highly charismatic cream-coloured patina from age. The “short” signature “Patek Philippe, Genève” is correct for the date of manufacture, the enamel scales are beautifully raised and the “Serpico y Laino Caracas” signature is perfectly preserved.
It is one of the last examples of the reference to be fitted with the caliber 12-120 movement before it was replaced by the caliber 12-400 in 1950.
According to the engraved inscription on the case back it was presented to Edward L. Steiniger of the American Sinclair Oil and Refining Company, working in oil exploration in Venezuela as of 1937. Edward L. Steiniger was the President of the company from 1958-1964.
Reference 565
Reference 565, the first large water-resistant watch featuring a two-piece case made by Taubert & Fils with screw back and dust cover, was available with either subsidiary or sweep centre seconds. The first series was launched in 1938 with calibre 12'''120, the second with calibre 12’’’400 in 1950.
The timelessly modern design of reference 565 served as inspiration for the creation of the 2006 stainless steel inaugural reference 5565.
The case has evidently never been subject to careless polishing, impressively demonstrated by the full proportions, crisp hallmarks and engraving to the case back. The dial has never been cosmetically enhanced and displays a highly charismatic cream-coloured patina from age. The “short” signature “Patek Philippe, Genève” is correct for the date of manufacture, the enamel scales are beautifully raised and the “Serpico y Laino Caracas” signature is perfectly preserved.
It is one of the last examples of the reference to be fitted with the caliber 12-120 movement before it was replaced by the caliber 12-400 in 1950.
According to the engraved inscription on the case back it was presented to Edward L. Steiniger of the American Sinclair Oil and Refining Company, working in oil exploration in Venezuela as of 1937. Edward L. Steiniger was the President of the company from 1958-1964.
Reference 565
Reference 565, the first large water-resistant watch featuring a two-piece case made by Taubert & Fils with screw back and dust cover, was available with either subsidiary or sweep centre seconds. The first series was launched in 1938 with calibre 12'''120, the second with calibre 12’’’400 in 1950.
The timelessly modern design of reference 565 served as inspiration for the creation of the 2006 stainless steel inaugural reference 5565.