Patek Philippe
Simply the finest watch money can buy.
Even today, Patek Philippe’s extraordinary care and commitment towards perfection means it takes almost year to manufacture even its simplest watch movement.
Significant moments in watchmaking since 1839 …
– 1839 Antoine Patek began producing about 200 high-quality pocket watches per year
– 1845 Patek & Co. Partnership founded in Geneva with Jean Adrien Philippe, Technical Director
– 1846 Tiffany & Co. New York, Tiffany appoints Patek Philippe as its principal supplier of pocket watches
– 1857 Universal Exposition, London, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert buy a timepiece, shooting Patek to international fame
– 1867 the company produces the world’s first wristwatch
– 1927 the company produces the world’s first perpetual calendar wristwatch
– 1941 the company produces the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch
– 1962 the company produces the world’s first automatic, perpetual calendar wristwatch
It is said that fewer than 1 million Patek Philippe watches have been made since the first watch was completed in 1839. That is fewer than some high-end Swiss manufacturers (notably Rolex) produce in one year. In fact, the company limits itself to producing less than 50,000 watches per year, even though it is estimated by watch market analysts, the company could sell ten times this figure. Patek production is so detailed, it takes almost a year to complete its most basic watch and more than two years to produce some of the more complicated timepieces.
Patek’s vintage complications hold more world record prices at auction than any other brand. Landmark models include the model ref. 1518; the world’s first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph and its successor, the model ref. 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the model refs. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450.
We, of course, associate Patek Philippe with the very best, but particularly, the understated elegance, craftsmanship, heritage, exquisite design, perfection and total confidence and commitment in everything it does.
Description
Here we have a wonderful, previously restored 18ct yellow gold Patek Philippe dress watch with a subsidiary seconds dial, from 1940. This watch carries a beautiful, clean silver-white dial with mixed hour indices and outstanding ‘teardrop’ lugs, all of which are in remarkable condition. At 32mm in diameter, excluding the correct unsigned crown, this would have been a smaller sized watch for this period. However, given the popularity among ladies to wear gent’s watches, this could equally be considered a suitable watch for a lady today.
The Dial
Please take a good look at the outstanding condition and classic beauty of this previously restored dial. Simple, symmetrical and perfectly well balanced. The dial, which shows some gentle signs of ageing, carries applied gilt mixed ‘stud’ hour indices along with standard Arabic numerals at ‘2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – 10 – 12’, which are matched by the original ‘Index’ hands. The dial also carries a perfectly proportioned subsidiary seconds dial just above 6. All of these features stand out beautifully and make the watch very easy to read when upon the wrist.
The dial is simply signed ‘Patek Philippe’ and ‘Geneve’ just below 12.
This dial has been previously restored to a very high standard, yet remains in outstanding condition.
The Movement
As can be seen, the movement is in spectacular condition. The Geneva wave finishing on the bridge and plates and the bevelled edging throughout was all applied by hand, over 80 years ago and looks as beautifully bright and fresh today as one could ever wish. The movement is in A1 condition, indicating this watch has been properly cared for and regularly serviced.
The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced by a Master Watchmaker. This means dismantling the movement to each of its component parts, careful inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine parts, then careful reassembly and adjustment, before final calibration in 5 positions. The movement winds sets and runs accurately and reliably and at final testing and calibration, it was running within +6 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. This is outstanding for any watch of this age. We are therefore highly confident in offering our 12-month warranty* with this watch.
The movement is correctly signed, ‘Patek Philippe & Co.’, ‘Geneve’ and ‘Eighteen (18) Jewels’ with the Calibre number 12-400 and the movement serial number 901843, which dates this watch to 1940.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
The Watch Case
The 18ct yellow gold case is of a two-piece construction to improve integrity and dust and moisture protection. It carries a thin integral bezel and gorgeous ‘teardrop’ lugs. It is solid, elegant and of obviously very high quality.
The size of this watch is 32mm in diameter, excluding the correct unsigned crown. Few realise it today, but for the vast majority of the time the concept of a wristwatch has existed, 32mm was considered the perfect size for a gentleman’s dress watch and once the current fad for outsized watches has passed, we feel sure these smaller high-end vintage watches will become widely appreciated once again.
The case, the case-back and bezel are all in superb condition with no marks or scratches visible to the naked eye. The watch has been beautifully well cared for and so after a close inspection, has simply required a careful clean and a gentle polish to bring it back to its current, almost as new condition. Inside the case, the case-back all is signed correctly and as expected ‘Patek Philippe & Co.’, ‘Geneve’ and ‘Swiss’ with Swiss 18ct hallmarks. The inside of the case-back also carries the serial number 639730.
The large press-fit case-back clicks into place with a solid reassuring ‘pop’, just as it should and importantly, is of full thickness, having never been inscribed.
As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
The watch is fitted with a genuine Patek Philippe black leather strap with a genuine Patek Philippe 18ct gold buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black straps in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1940.
Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.
This watch comes complete with a high quality hardwood presentation box as shown.
Payment and Delivery
If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.
Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.
We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.
For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.
As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.
In Conclusion
Here we have a truly desirable vintage gold dress watch from horology’s most revered name which is truly a thing of beauty – to wear, use, treasure and enjoy. It will also make an excellent investment and family heirloom piece. Even though Patek prices continue to rise, we still feel outstanding examples such as this remain undervalued, particularly compared to the price of a new Patek Philippe.
In addition to being perfectly practical for everyday use, this watch will make an excellent investment and heirloom piece, as well as be something wonderful to use, wear, treasure and enjoy! Even though vintage gold Omega watch prices continue to climb, we still feel sure that top class examples such as this are underpriced. This is because as time passes and the world market for vintage gold Omega watches continues to grow, limited supply means prices will inevitably climb ever higher.
A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.
Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.
We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.
If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.
Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
