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Lot Essay
One of the Patek Philippe vintage stars of the Ultimate Collection, this superb yellow gold reference 1579 ‘Spider Lugs’, sold in 1950, represents an excellent opportunity for the collector to obtain an extremely fine and original example of this iconic model. Matching the Extract from the Archives on all points, the present watch is, according to the most respected Patek Philippe scholars, one of the best examples to be offered at auction in recent years.
Chosen by the owner of the Ultimate Collection as an example of outstanding and largely untouched originality, it is an early specimen of the very rare second series reference 1579 which appeared in Patek Philippe’s catalogues from 1950. The dial features the correct post-1948 ‘short’ Patek Philippe signature, the silvered dial surface has never been subject to any restoration or intervention with beautiful raised hard enamel signature and ‘chemin de fer’ scales, unusually, even the tachymeter scale is hard enamel rather than printed, the applied gold numerals and pyramidal indexes have aged naturally giving a charming individual and honest character to the piece. The gold of the 36 mm. case displays only the signs of normal use over the past 70 years, the angles on the lugs and bezel remain clear and well defined, the hallmarks are still legible and clear. As with most Patek Philippe chronographs of the period, it is fitted with the famous caliber 13’’’130 movement finished to the highest standard.
The Dial
Second series, Mark 2, made by Stern Frères on a silver plate base, with engraved sunken registers, matte silver ‘satiné-opalin’ surface finish, engraved-enamelled seconds scale, fifth-of-a-second and tachymeter scale. The back of the dial is correctly punch numbered Stern Frères: 93 4867. The 93 is the code for Patek Philippe, the 4867 is the dial order reference number. The applied 6 and 12 hour markers and the eight ‘pyramid’ shape faceted small indexes are hand-cut yellow gold. The ‘feuille’ hour and minutes hands are gold, as is the subsidiary seconds hand. The chronograph and the register hand are made from flamed blued steel. After a life of over 70 years, the dial has aged with the usual minor oxidation and small spots and scratches as expected but most importantly it has remained in original condition and unrestored.
The Case
Serial no. 657’546, made circa 1950 by Wenger, one of the all-time best Geneva Master case makers and is punched with his mark of number 1 within a key. Of three-piece construction with snapped bezel and back and soldered faceted lugs.
The case band is of typical shape, both hallmarks are still clearly visible, the lugs are beautifully preserved and show honest wear from light use but not re-shaped as is often seen on this reference. The 18k gold chronograph pushers are original Patek Philippe parts but may have been changed in the 1980s, the crown is likely the original. Most importantly, bar a few very minor repairs, the case is still very well preserved and quite impressive even today after many years of careful use. Reassuringly, the bezel is properly marked on its inside with the last three digits of the case serial number in Roman numerals, V. IIII. VI (546).
The Movement
Serial no. 867’709, made in 1949, cal. 13’’’130, rhodium plated brass, based on a valjoux 13’’’ ébauche, especially made for Patek Philippe, 23 jewels, 18’000 oscillations, cut bimetallic compensation balance, micrometric precision adjustment. Apart from perhaps a few screws and springs changed during servicing over the years, the movement is in good original condition.
We are grateful to Eric Tortella for his assistance and study in researching this watch.
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 250 were made in yellow gold of which 105 are known publicly today.
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
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.
Blue Book 1 by Eric Tortella, 2018 edition, p. 354-391.
Another Patek Philippe Ref. 1579 is described and illustrated in: Patek Philippe My Dream Collection by Ali Nael, April 2021 Edition, p. 340-341
Chosen by the owner of the Ultimate Collection as an example of outstanding and largely untouched originality, it is an early specimen of the very rare second series reference 1579 which appeared in Patek Philippe’s catalogues from 1950. The dial features the correct post-1948 ‘short’ Patek Philippe signature, the silvered dial surface has never been subject to any restoration or intervention with beautiful raised hard enamel signature and ‘chemin de fer’ scales, unusually, even the tachymeter scale is hard enamel rather than printed, the applied gold numerals and pyramidal indexes have aged naturally giving a charming individual and honest character to the piece. The gold of the 36 mm. case displays only the signs of normal use over the past 70 years, the angles on the lugs and bezel remain clear and well defined, the hallmarks are still legible and clear. As with most Patek Philippe chronographs of the period, it is fitted with the famous caliber 13’’’130 movement finished to the highest standard.
The Dial
Second series, Mark 2, made by Stern Frères on a silver plate base, with engraved sunken registers, matte silver ‘satiné-opalin’ surface finish, engraved-enamelled seconds scale, fifth-of-a-second and tachymeter scale. The back of the dial is correctly punch numbered Stern Frères: 93 4867. The 93 is the code for Patek Philippe, the 4867 is the dial order reference number. The applied 6 and 12 hour markers and the eight ‘pyramid’ shape faceted small indexes are hand-cut yellow gold. The ‘feuille’ hour and minutes hands are gold, as is the subsidiary seconds hand. The chronograph and the register hand are made from flamed blued steel. After a life of over 70 years, the dial has aged with the usual minor oxidation and small spots and scratches as expected but most importantly it has remained in original condition and unrestored.
The Case
Serial no. 657’546, made circa 1950 by Wenger, one of the all-time best Geneva Master case makers and is punched with his mark of number 1 within a key. Of three-piece construction with snapped bezel and back and soldered faceted lugs.
The case band is of typical shape, both hallmarks are still clearly visible, the lugs are beautifully preserved and show honest wear from light use but not re-shaped as is often seen on this reference. The 18k gold chronograph pushers are original Patek Philippe parts but may have been changed in the 1980s, the crown is likely the original. Most importantly, bar a few very minor repairs, the case is still very well preserved and quite impressive even today after many years of careful use. Reassuringly, the bezel is properly marked on its inside with the last three digits of the case serial number in Roman numerals, V. IIII. VI (546).
The Movement
Serial no. 867’709, made in 1949, cal. 13’’’130, rhodium plated brass, based on a valjoux 13’’’ ébauche, especially made for Patek Philippe, 23 jewels, 18’000 oscillations, cut bimetallic compensation balance, micrometric precision adjustment. Apart from perhaps a few screws and springs changed during servicing over the years, the movement is in good original condition.
We are grateful to Eric Tortella for his assistance and study in researching this watch.
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 250 were made in yellow gold of which 105 are known publicly today.
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
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.
Blue Book 1 by Eric Tortella, 2018 edition, p. 354-391.
Another Patek Philippe Ref. 1579 is described and illustrated in: Patek Philippe My Dream Collection by Ali Nael, April 2021 Edition, p. 340-341