Lot 334
Patek Philippe. An exceptionally fine and rare 18K pink gold chronograph wristwatch with two-tone silvered dial and scale graduated for 15 pulsations
SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE & CO., GENÈVE, RETAILED BY FRECCERO, REF. 591, MOVEMENT NO. 862'764, CASE NO. 625'422, MANUFACTURED IN 1941
Closed16 November 2009
Price Realised
CHF 291,000
More Information
Specialist note
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial, raised rose gold hour markers and pulsometre scale in 1941 and its subsequent sale on 17 March 1942.
Even amongst experienced collectors, reference 591 is one of the least known chronograph models of Patek Philippe's production. In fact, research indicates that less than 30 examples of this reference have survived to date, either cased in yellow or pink gold. This exceedingly small production renders it rarer than any other chronograph model of the same period. The present example however is an absolutely spectacular specimen as it features a two-tone silver dial with pulsation scale - a combination unique to this reference.
Reference 591 differs from all other Patek Philippe chronographs by its generous yet subtle case proportions. Its cylindrical body highlighted by a stepped bezel is crowned with four "bean-shaped" lugs with straight sides. Consequently this reference responds particularly badly to insensible polishing as it quickly loses the angle to the bezel and the edges to the lugs.
This example however is probably virtually unknown and quite certainly strictly unpolished. This results in a look which even to the most experienced eyes of scholars is a sensation. Only in the condition as the present example one can fully appreciate the savoir-faire of Patek Philippe's designers in the late 30s when this model was introduced to the market.
Its superb provenance, virtually mint condition and spectacular two-tone dial with pulsation scale, fully confirmed by the Extract, render this reference 591 most likely the best example of this model known to date.
Reference 591 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 266, pl. 411.
Even amongst experienced collectors, reference 591 is one of the least known chronograph models of Patek Philippe's production. In fact, research indicates that less than 30 examples of this reference have survived to date, either cased in yellow or pink gold. This exceedingly small production renders it rarer than any other chronograph model of the same period. The present example however is an absolutely spectacular specimen as it features a two-tone silver dial with pulsation scale - a combination unique to this reference.
Reference 591 differs from all other Patek Philippe chronographs by its generous yet subtle case proportions. Its cylindrical body highlighted by a stepped bezel is crowned with four "bean-shaped" lugs with straight sides. Consequently this reference responds particularly badly to insensible polishing as it quickly loses the angle to the bezel and the edges to the lugs.
This example however is probably virtually unknown and quite certainly strictly unpolished. This results in a look which even to the most experienced eyes of scholars is a sensation. Only in the condition as the present example one can fully appreciate the savoir-faire of Patek Philippe's designers in the late 30s when this model was introduced to the market.
Its superb provenance, virtually mint condition and spectacular two-tone dial with pulsation scale, fully confirmed by the Extract, render this reference 591 most likely the best example of this model known to date.
Reference 591 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 266, pl. 411.