PATEK PHILIPPE. A RARE PLATINUM RECTANGULAR WRISTWATCH

A great vintage pre-reference rarity known as ‘Modèle 10’, made between 1917 and 1932, this large curved rectangular wristwatch is one of the very few platinum cased wristwatches known to survive from Patek Philippe’s early production. Moreover it is more unusual in not featuring a subsidiary seconds dial resulting in a dramatically striking aesthetic. The silvery dial by Stern Frères features exaggerated ‘explosion’ luminous numerals, luminous blued steel hands, a black oval inner minutes ring and curving ‘long’ Patek Philippe signature in English. It is thought that more than half the production of ‘Modèle 10’ was sold to the United States.
Although manufactured in the early 20th century, this fabulous vintage watch, due to its size, colour and style, is absolutely wearable today. Indeed, its distinctive numerals and bold look has evidently been the inspiration for several modern watchmakers. Rarely today does the Patek Philippe collector ever have the opportunity to obtain an example of this early pre-reference platinum rectangular model that is such a luxurious symbol of the roaring twenties.