Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Certificat d'Origine et de Garantie, envelope and Patek Philippe & Cie. S.A. Genève original invoice dated 18 May 1946 addressed to Monsieur Victorio LUZURIAGA c/o Instruments de Physique, Genève. Furthermore delivered with the original fitted brown leather presentation box and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with applied gold hour markers and tachometre scale in 1941 and its subsequent sale on 18 May 1946.
Patek Philippe reference 1436 is one of the most synonymous wristwatches for the modernization of society in the 20th century. Whether in action to measure time intervals at a car race at Le Mans or a manned mission into orbit, the use of the split second chronograph fascinates today as much as when this reference was introduced in 1938.
Predominantly cased in yellow gold, the pink gold reference 1436 is one of the rarest gems in the universe of complicated wristwatches. In fact, research reveals that in over 30 years of international auctions, not even 10 pink gold split second chronographs by Patek Philippe have been surfaced and barely half of them are fitted with the charismatic and state-of-the-art pink dial. The present watch furthermore stands out as it still retains its original invoice and certificate, believed to be the only one of this group to have survived in such complete manner.
Preserved in excellent, unmolested condition and with formidable provenance, this watch combines all elements the demanding collector would seek. The incredibly charismatic, antique rose coloured dial does not show signs of cosmetic enhancement and the hard enamel signature and scales are as raised as the connoisseur would expect. The case, barely polished, not only retains the original proportions to an excellent extent but also shows beautifully the Swiss gold mark to the side.
Reference 1436
Since its introduction to the market in 1938, reference 1436 remained the best known split seconds chronograph model produced by Patek Philippe. It was predominantly cased in either yellow or pink gold, no examples are known to date in white gold or platinum. The elegant reference 1436 and its high quality and complex movement certainly marked a peak in the evolution of technical wristwatches - an area in which Patek Philippe has been foremost for generations.
During over 30 years of production, reference 1436 saw a fascinating development both technically and aesthetically. Numerous dial designs have been given to this model. Until production of reference 1436 was discontinued in the early 1970s, it has seen two different constructions in regard to how the chronograph seconds hand would be split. On the first generation of this model such as the present watch, made until the late 1940s, the crown would serve as a button to split and reunite the two seconds hand. The second generation was fitted with a co-axial push button within the crown for the split seconds function.
The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 273, pl. 422 (first generation) and p. 274, pl. 423 (second generation).
Patek Philippe reference 1436 is one of the most synonymous wristwatches for the modernization of society in the 20th century. Whether in action to measure time intervals at a car race at Le Mans or a manned mission into orbit, the use of the split second chronograph fascinates today as much as when this reference was introduced in 1938.
Predominantly cased in yellow gold, the pink gold reference 1436 is one of the rarest gems in the universe of complicated wristwatches. In fact, research reveals that in over 30 years of international auctions, not even 10 pink gold split second chronographs by Patek Philippe have been surfaced and barely half of them are fitted with the charismatic and state-of-the-art pink dial. The present watch furthermore stands out as it still retains its original invoice and certificate, believed to be the only one of this group to have survived in such complete manner.
Preserved in excellent, unmolested condition and with formidable provenance, this watch combines all elements the demanding collector would seek. The incredibly charismatic, antique rose coloured dial does not show signs of cosmetic enhancement and the hard enamel signature and scales are as raised as the connoisseur would expect. The case, barely polished, not only retains the original proportions to an excellent extent but also shows beautifully the Swiss gold mark to the side.
Reference 1436
Since its introduction to the market in 1938, reference 1436 remained the best known split seconds chronograph model produced by Patek Philippe. It was predominantly cased in either yellow or pink gold, no examples are known to date in white gold or platinum. The elegant reference 1436 and its high quality and complex movement certainly marked a peak in the evolution of technical wristwatches - an area in which Patek Philippe has been foremost for generations.
During over 30 years of production, reference 1436 saw a fascinating development both technically and aesthetically. Numerous dial designs have been given to this model. Until production of reference 1436 was discontinued in the early 1970s, it has seen two different constructions in regard to how the chronograph seconds hand would be split. On the first generation of this model such as the present watch, made until the late 1940s, the crown would serve as a button to split and reunite the two seconds hand. The second generation was fitted with a co-axial push button within the crown for the split seconds function.
The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 273, pl. 422 (first generation) and p. 274, pl. 423 (second generation).