PATEK PHILIPPE. A VERY RARE AND ATTRACTIVE 18K GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH
Lot 4940

PATEK PHILIPPE. A VERY RARE AND ATTRACTIVE 18K GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE & CO, GENEVE, REF. 591, MOVEMENT NO. 863'181, CASE NO. 632'640, MANUFACTURED IN 1943

Closed30 May 2012

Price Realised

HKD 325,000

More Information

How to sell

PATEK PHILIPPE. A VERY RARE AND ATTRACTIVE 18K GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH
SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE & CO, GENEVE, REF. 591, MOVEMENT NO. 863'181, CASE NO. 632'640, MANUFACTURED IN 1943
Cal. 13''' mechanical lever movement stamped with the Geneva seal, 23 jewels, silvered dial, applied Breguet numerals, outer railway five minute divisions and tachymetre scale, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30 minutes register, circular case, slender angular downturned lugs, snap on back, two rectangular-shaped chronograph buttons in the band, 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed
34 mm. diam.

Specialist note

US$30,000-50,000

With Patek Philippe sales tag and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1943 and its subsequent sale on 9 November 1943.

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 very attractive and one can fully appreciate the savoir-faire of Patek Philippe's designers in the late 30s when this model was introduced to the market. Furthermore, the dial of the present reference 591 is blessed with the sought-after Breguet numerals and results in an overall very appealing look.

Reference 591 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 266, pl. 411.