Patek Philippe

• cal. 13 manual winding nickel lever movement, 23 jewels • silvered dial, applied Arabic 12 and 6 o'clock and bullet indexes, feuille hands, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30-minute register, outer tachometer scale • oversized case, convex bezel, rectangular chronograph pushers, presentation engraving to the snap back • case, dial and movement signed

The movement appears to have never been cleaned and is in completely original untouched condition - a true time capsule that is rarely seen in the watch world from a watch that is over 60 years old. Consequently, the watch oil is extremely dry and the watch should not be run (especially chronograph) until the watch is properly cleaned. The dial is original, with tracking in hard enamel and a nice patina. Under magnification, one can see some very faint spotting to the dial. The case is well defined with a very crisp gold mark to the band. The engraving to the case back reads 'Leonard A. Titrud, M.D., Geneva 1950'. The strap of this watch contains endangered species; please see Important Notices for further information.
"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."

With an Extract from the Archives confirming sale on July 31st, 1950. Further accompanied by its original presentation case. 

After the Ref. 130 was introduced, demand for larger cases led to the introduction of the Ref. 530 in 1937 and production of the reference continued through the mid-1950s. Today, due to its size and extremely limited production, the Ref. 530 is recognized as one of the rarest and most desirable of all Patek Philippe vintage chronographs. With a diameter of 36.5 mm, the yellow gold version was made with two different lug widths, one to accommodate 19 mm straps (as with the present lot) and the other for 21.5 mm straps. Approximately 85 examples were made in yellow gold and only 30 are currently known.

The presently offered lot, appearing for the first time to the market from the family of the original owner, is one of the finest unpolished and unrestored examples of a Ref. 530 ever to ever appear for sale at auction. In addition to a superlative case, the warm patina of the unrestored dial highlights the original raised enamel signature and tachometer scale in full unrestored beauty.

For an example of a Ref. 530, see Huber, M., & Banbery, A. Patek Philippe Wristwatches, Vol. II, Second Edition, p. 265.

Leonard A. Titrud M.D., Ph.D.
Leonard A. Titrud, M.D., Ph.D. (1911-2004) was a highly respected neurosurgeon who earned his M.D. from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1935.  He completed internships at the U.S. Marine Hospital (Ellis Island, NYC), the United States Public Health Service (Lexington, KY) and the University Hospital of Minneapolis. Dr. Titrud served as an army surgeon during WW II.  Following the war, he returned to the University of Minnesota to complete an M.S. in Surgery and a Ph.D. in Neurosurgery. Through his success as a neurosurgeon and in authoring numerous publications, Dr. Titrud made significant contributions to a deeper understanding of neurosurgery. His legacy is very much alive today with the establishment of an endowed lectureship in his name at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Titrud traveled extensively through Europe in the summer of 1950, visiting several countries to study advances in neurosurgery. After visiting the University of Geneva Medical School, Dr. Titrud purchased this Ref. 530 at the Patek Philippe Geneva boutique on July 31, 1950 and requested Patek Philippe to engrave the back of his watch in a Gothic font 'Leonard A. Titrud M.D. Geneva 1950'.