Patek Philippe

18k, damascened nickel lever movement, stamped with the seal of Geneva, 23 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance, 8 adjustments, precision regulator, silvered dial, applied roman and baton numerals, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30-minute register, outer scales calibrated for minutes/chronograph seconds and for 30 pulsations, circular case with satin finished sides, faceted bezel, case, dial and movement signed.

PROVENANCE

This wristwatch was originally owned by an Italian Army Doctor, the father of the vendor. As it is a medical chronograph, it must either have been a special request, or given to the original owner to assist with the verification of his patients' pulse rates.

EXTRACT FROM THE ARCHIVES

The accompanying Extract from the Patek Philippe Archives confirms that this wristwatch was manufactured in 1943 and sold on July 16th, the same year.

REFERENCE 591 'PULSATION'

Only two other 591 wristwatches with pulsation dials are publicly known. The current lot is the only yellow gold 591 known from the market to be graduated for 30 pulsations. The pulsation scale writing appears to be unique and is unusually clear.

PRODUCTION OF REFERENCE 591

Production of reference 591 began in 1938 and ceased around 1954. It is one of the rarest series produced chronographs made by Patek Philippe. Total manufacturing output appears to have been in the region of only 100 pieces. Unusually, of these, about two-thirds were manufactured in pink gold. Today, only 12 yellow gold reference 591 chronographs are known from the market. These facts combined with the current lot's pulsation dial, means that this no.863.106 can be considered one of the rarest series manufactured chronographs ever made by Patek Philippe.