Patek Philippe. A Fine and Rare 18K Pink Gold Wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and pink dial
Lot 92

Patek Philippe. A Fine and Rare 18K Pink Gold Wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and pink dial

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENÈVE, REF. 1578, MOVEMENT NO. 864'446, CASE NO. 633'400, MANUFACTURED IN 1944

Closed12 May 2014

Price Realised

CHF 10,000

More Information

How to sell

Patek Philippe. A Fine and Rare 18K Pink Gold Wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and pink dial
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, Ref. 1578, Movement No. 864'446, Case No. 633'400, manufactured in 1944
Cal. 12-120 mechanical jewelled movement, pink dial, applied gold Arabic and black hard enamel baton numerals, sweep centre seconds, circular case, downturned spider lugs, snap on back, 18K gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial, and movement signed, case also stamped with French assay marks
35 mm. diam.

Specialist note

With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silver-plated rose dials, raised gold hour markers, gold hands in 1944 and its subsequent sale on 16 October 1944. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe original fitted presentation box.

Never offered in public before, the present watch is believed to be one of only two examples of reference 1578 in pink gold with pink dial, all confirmed by the Extract from the Archives, to appear in public to date.

The watch offered here for sale impresses with its very good overall condition and the highly attractive "pink on pink" look. The slope of the dial rim makes light refract differently on that part compared to the rest of the dial, giving at times the captivating impression of a two-tone finish. The presence of the "owl" hallmark inside the case back and on the band indicates it was made for the French market.

Reference 1578 was in production approximately from 1943 to 1965, and available with either subsidiary seconds or sweep seconds, like in this instance. It was available in yellow and pink gold. No specimens in other metals have appeared on the market this far.