Patek Philippe. A very fine and rare 18K gold chronograph wristwatch

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

A CONNOISSEUR'S VISION PART III 10 MASTERPIECES FROM ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST SIGNIFICANT PRIVATE COLLECTIONS OF VINTAGE PATEK PHILIPPE WATCHES "Auction history was written earlier this year when on May 10, the world-famous Reference 1527 took over ten minutes to reach its final bid, eventually selling at a record price of US $5.7 million" In 1992, together with another private collector, the present collector brought out the first book dedicated to complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches. At the time, the only other publication dedicated to wristwatches by this distinguished Geneva manufacturer was the official book edited by Patek Philippe. Shortly after its publication, I discovered Complicated Patek Philippe Wristwatches. Throughout my career as a specialist this book has repeatedly served as a valuable source of scholarship and of inspiration. This reference book is now considered a collector's piece in its own right. In 2008, when I visited the collector for the first time, I learned how it all started. In the mid 1970s he discovered an appealing Rolex Prince in the Portobello Market. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs with a great sensitivity for good engineering, he appreciated the perfect harmony of technical complexity and superb design. The initial Rolex rapidly grew into a collection. One day around 1979, the collector held a vintage perpetual calendar wristwatch by Patek Philippe in his hands for the first time. He recalls very well that at that moment he knew that this was going to be the passion for which he would want to sacrifice his existing collection. During the 1970s there were no reference books available on vintage wristwatches, no museums exhibited wristwatches as they do today, and international watch auctions did not include wristwatches. All information was down to personal research, exchange with other collectors and manual study at home. It certainly took passion, connoisseurship, perseverance and vision to pursue this new field of collecting. Shortly after, auction houses started to accept vintage wristwatches for their established auctions of pocket watches and clocks. Not only did this allow collectors to compare their watches with the pieces on offer, but they were able to discover new models and exchange information in New York, London or Geneva with similarly minded collectors. Throughout the 1980s, the collector enlarged and improved his collection. Gradually, he put together what today is known to be one of the finest groups of ultra-rare complicated Patek Philippe watches in the world. By means of offering this collection at auction, it is a pleasure to offer new generations of collectors the possibility of travelling back in time; a time in which they were not yet active as collectors. For time, which is the essence of watch making, gives us a second opportunity to discover, study and bid on treasures which were one man's vision and his passion for over 30 years. Aurel Bacs September 2009 It is now, for the third time, an immense pleasure to offer a highly attractive collection of wristwatches from "A Connoisseur's Vision". Already, the combined sale total of parts I and II have exceeded all expectations and the results surpassed any private collection of wristwatches ever offered publicly. Auction history was written earlier this year when, on May 10, the world-famous reference 1527 took over ten minutes to reach its final bid, eventually selling at a record price of US $5.7 million. This result, as much as many others achieved for these wonderful vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches, is not only proof of how well curated this collection was since its beginning, but also how broad and international the appreciation and passion is today for watches of such importance. A Connoisseur's Vision Part III includes ten vintage complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches, highlighted by one of only three known examples of the famous reference 1563, the Geneva manufacturer's only vintage split-second chronograph model. Furthermore, a superb array of chronographs and perpetual calendars is also included. The iconic reference 2499 is even represented with two specimens, one of them with an incredibly attractive black dial featuring Breguet numerals.

Patek Philippe. A very fine and rare 18K gold chronograph wristwatch

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENÈVE, REF. 1463, MOVEMENT NO. 868'792, CASE NO. 686'380, MANUFACTURED IN 1955

Details

Patek Philippe. A very fine and rare 18K gold chronograph wristwatch
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, ref. 1463, movement no. 868'792, case no. 686'380, manufactured in 1955
Cal. 13''' nickel-finished lever movement, 23 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance, micrometer regulator, metal dust cover, silvered dial, applied gold baton and Arabic numerals, outer railway five minute divisions and tachymetre scale, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30 minutes register, circular water-resistant-type case, screw back, two round chronograph buttons in the band, case, dial and movement signed
35 mm. diam.

Literature

The present watch is prominently described and illustrated in Patek Philippe Complicated Wrist Watches by Paolo de Vecchi & Giorgio Gregato, pp. 94 & 95.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Lot Essay

With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with tachymetre scale in 1955 and its subsequent sale on 12 December 1956.

Reference 1463, the only vintage Patek Philippe chronograph model with screw back case and round pushers, is without question one of the celebrated manufacturer's most iconic and noble sports watches.

The present watch is a fine example of this paragon of post war design, distinguished by its attractive and original overall condition. Only sporadically worn the case is full, retaining very good case proportions, most notably are the healthy edges and well preserved gold marks. With time, the dial has taken a charismatic, perfect cream-coloured patina, the hard enamel signature and scales are as raised as the connoisseur would expect. An appealing feature is the "Swiss" designation which has an unusual position inbetween the applied Arabic 6 numeral and the black enamelled "chemin de fer" scale.

Fresh to the market and of excellent provenance, the present reference 1463 represents a wonderful addition to any distinguished collection.

Reference 1463 was launched in 1940 and remained in production until 1965, the majority cased in yellow gold. The stainless steel models however are exceedingly rare and were in production only until 1960.

The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 267.

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