Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Hong Kong, May 10, 2020
LOT 392
Patek Philippe -Ref. 139, Art Deco, driver’s; 18K yellow gold
HKD 130,000 - 156,000
USD 16,500 - 19,800 / EUR 15,000 - 18,000 / CHF 16,500 - 19,800
18K yellow gold, manual-winding, horizontal rectangular-shaped, Art Deco driver’s wristwatch, hinged case-back. Silver dial with radial indexes.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3-6 |
Good Slightly oxidized |
Movement: 3 * |
|
Dial: 3-51-01 |
Good Partially reprinted HANDS Original |
Brand Patek Philippe, Geneva
Year Circa 1923 and 1936 (casing)
Movement No. 200 527
Case No. 612 924 (by François Markowski, Geneva)
Material 18K yellow gold
Bracelet brown leather strap
Buckle 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
Caliber 8’’’, oblong (12.5 mm. x 23 mm.)
Height 23.4 mm.
Width 27.5 mm.
Notes
The Extract from the Archives, dated September 15, 2010, mentioned that this watch was sold on September 3, 1936.
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Patek Philippe, Reference 139, so-called “driver’s”
This reference is launched in 1933 and remained in production for approximately three years.
This horizontal rectangular-shaped watch is fitted with the Cal. 8-85.
It’s one of Patek Philippe’s earliest references. Extremely few examples were produced; only eleven examples are known to-date in yellow gold and five in white gold.
Nicknamed “driver’s watch” by collectors due to its horizontal lay-out, this unusual shape would allow the wearer to place the watch on the side of the wrist to ease the reading of time while driving without taking the hand off the steering wheel.
The faceted crystal follows the shape of the case and further underlines the length of the watch
Despite a small case size, the shape give this watch a sporty and masculine look.
Bibliography
Huber, Martin, & Banbery, Alan, Patek Philippe Wristwatches, 1998, p. 119.