Patek Philippe

cal.13-130 damascened nickel lever movement, 23 jewels, mono-metallic compensation balance, 8 adjustments • silvered dial, baton and Arabic numerals, blued steel feuille hands, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30-minute register, outer scales calibrated for 1/5 of a second and tachometer • extra large circular case with concave bezel, down-turned lugs, two rectangular chronograph pushers to the band, snap-on back • case, dial and movement signed • with later stainless steel Patek Philippe buckle

Antiquorum Geneva, 24th April 2004 lot 178 - Property of the original owner's family

 

Movement running, chronograph function is working on the day of cataloguing. Great dial which has been gently cleaned. Case has been sympathetically refreshed. This is an amazing watch, most probably the best exemple of the reference 530 ever to be seen on the market.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Reference 530 was manufactured from 1937 until circa 1956 and is exceptionally rare in steel, indeed, apart from the present watch, only 5 other examples are currently known. Dating to 1939, the present watch is the earliest known example of a reference 530 in steel and the only one with a sector dial (all other 530 wristwatches in steel feature dials with applied numerals). Interestingly, during the period of its production, Patek Philippe referred to sector dials as "tachometer" dials in their archives and consequently it can be shown that the dial type of the present wristwatch perfectly matches the accompanying Archive Extract. The watch is also notable, for it is the only version of a steel 530 to have appeared at auction with this size of case and lug gauge. A further rarity in the present watch is its Amagnetic balance and balance spring which were not offered as standard in the reference.

Highly sought after by collectors for its large size, the reference 530 remains one of the most coveted chronograph models produced by Patek Philippe. With its combination of steel case, sector dial, Amagnetic movement and unusual case dimensions, the present wristwatch is one of the rarest and most desirable examples to have appeared at auction.

Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1939 and sale on February 24th, 1940.

For an archive image of a reference 530, see Huber, M., & Banbery, A., Patek Philippe Wristwatches, Second Edition, p.265, pl.409a.