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Lot 378
Patek Philippe. An extremely fine and possibly unique 18K gold single button chronograph wristwatch with champagne dial and Breguet numerals
SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE & CO., GENÈVE, REF. 130, MOVEMENT NO. 860'094, CASE NO. 615'542, MANUFACTURED IN 1937
Closed14 May 2012
Price Realised
CHF 435,000
More Information
Specialist note
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial, raised Breguet hour markers in gold and tachymetre scale in 1937 and its subsequent sale on 2 December 1938.
The single button chronograph wristwatch offered here for sale is an outstanding example within the family of reference 130 chronographs. Not only one of the earliest examples of this reference, it is fitted with the ingenious single button movement designed by Victorin Piguet and features the highly attractive and exceedingly rare applied gold Breguet numerals, confirmed by the Extract from the Archives.
In fact, profound research reveals that this specimen here is the only gold reference 130 single button chronograph wristwatch with such champagne dial and Breguet numerals known to exist to date. Since its first and so far only appearance at auction in 1982, this true collector's watch has been the proud property of two of the world's most important private collectors. The combination of exclusivity, highly attractive dial, provenance and condition renders it one of the exceedingly rare trophies in today's vintage watch market.
Reference 130 is Patek Philippe's first chronograph model which was given a reference number. Under this reference Patek Philippe produced a diversity of models such as the traditional chronograph but also the more exotic single button chronographs. Both types were available with different precious metal as well as stainless steel cases.
Single button chronographs were in production between 1924 and the late 1930s. The majority was cased in the classic "Calatrava-style" case like the present example. Earlier examples can also be found with cushion-shaped cases. Many of these watches are actually only known through literature and archival images.
The ébauche for this unusual watch was commissioned by Patek Philippe and made by Victorin Piguet of Le Sentier. During the 1920s the company made most of the ébauches for complicated movements, including single button and split seconds chronographs, mainly for prestigious firms like Patek Philippe.
The single button chronograph wristwatch offered here for sale is an outstanding example within the family of reference 130 chronographs. Not only one of the earliest examples of this reference, it is fitted with the ingenious single button movement designed by Victorin Piguet and features the highly attractive and exceedingly rare applied gold Breguet numerals, confirmed by the Extract from the Archives.
In fact, profound research reveals that this specimen here is the only gold reference 130 single button chronograph wristwatch with such champagne dial and Breguet numerals known to exist to date. Since its first and so far only appearance at auction in 1982, this true collector's watch has been the proud property of two of the world's most important private collectors. The combination of exclusivity, highly attractive dial, provenance and condition renders it one of the exceedingly rare trophies in today's vintage watch market.
Reference 130 is Patek Philippe's first chronograph model which was given a reference number. Under this reference Patek Philippe produced a diversity of models such as the traditional chronograph but also the more exotic single button chronographs. Both types were available with different precious metal as well as stainless steel cases.
Single button chronographs were in production between 1924 and the late 1930s. The majority was cased in the classic "Calatrava-style" case like the present example. Earlier examples can also be found with cushion-shaped cases. Many of these watches are actually only known through literature and archival images.
The ébauche for this unusual watch was commissioned by Patek Philippe and made by Victorin Piguet of Le Sentier. During the 1920s the company made most of the ébauches for complicated movements, including single button and split seconds chronographs, mainly for prestigious firms like Patek Philippe.