Property of the original Belgian family. Offered for the first time from the original family of the owner, this stainless steel reference 130 has an interesting story. The original owner graduated from the Royal Military Academy in their 91st promotion (1930-1935). He was captured during the Campaign of the 18 days by a Nazi officer and remained a prisoner of war during 4 years alongside Paul Remi (brother of the famous Herge who created Tintin) and lieutenant Baron Georges Vivario. According to the family, they were in charge of digging the air supply systems to the tunnels to arrange an escape. All three of them escaped camp of Oflag IIA in Prenzlau (that had been abandoned by the Germans) at the end of the war. After the war, he became director of an important Belgian paper mill and it is at this time, in 1948, that he acquired his Patek 130 steel chronograph in Geneva. Kept in the family ever since, it has maintained its original dial featuring nicely raised enamel and is a testament to the durability of these chronographs. Part of the extremely rare family of 130 steels said to be made of less than 280 examples; a great opportunity to acquire a historical timepiece. An almost once in a lifetime opportunity to feature 2 130 chronographs with sector dial from the same family (for the stainless steel version see lot 514), this extremely rare yellow gold version is the perfect opportunity to compare the different case construction. Featuring longer and thiner lugs, usually more prone to polishing, this example has kept a great case, highlighted by a beautiful deep crisp hallmark on the side of the case, which often disappear due to heavy polishing or simple regular wear. Research indicated that yellow gold versions are even rarer than the steel versions, and this fresh to the market example has kept its original dial in wonderful condition taking on a patina from age that only time could produce. An extremely rare and fine 130 sector dial to delight the pickiest collectors.