Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with four applied steel indexes for the quarters and indexes in enamel in 1939 and its subsequent sale on 12 September 1939.
This watch is thought to be the only example of a stainless steel reference 565 fitted with silvered sector dial and applied Arabic numerals to appear at auction to date. Never been offered in public before, this particularly attractive example of the celebrated model combines highly desirable features such as the superb 1930 design sector or aviator dial and the famous calibre 12''' 120 SC with indirect centre seconds, all confirmed by the Extract from the Archives.
It furthermore stands out by another noteworthy feature, the last four digits of the case repeated between the lugs at 6 o'clock. Detailed research also indicates that this particular watch is amongst the very first references 565 ever made.
The ébauche for the movement of this watch was the result of Louis Cottier's and Patek Philippe's collaboration, where the centre seconds mechanism was ingeniously added to the existing 12'''120 "subsidiary seconds" movement.
Never out of fashion, the finest examples of reference 565 reveal to the best extent how architectural and timeless design remains modern even three quarter of a century after its creation.
This watch is thought to be the only example of a stainless steel reference 565 fitted with silvered sector dial and applied Arabic numerals to appear at auction to date. Never been offered in public before, this particularly attractive example of the celebrated model combines highly desirable features such as the superb 1930 design sector or aviator dial and the famous calibre 12''' 120 SC with indirect centre seconds, all confirmed by the Extract from the Archives.
It furthermore stands out by another noteworthy feature, the last four digits of the case repeated between the lugs at 6 o'clock. Detailed research also indicates that this particular watch is amongst the very first references 565 ever made.
The ébauche for the movement of this watch was the result of Louis Cottier's and Patek Philippe's collaboration, where the centre seconds mechanism was ingeniously added to the existing 12'''120 "subsidiary seconds" movement.
Never out of fashion, the finest examples of reference 565 reveal to the best extent how architectural and timeless design remains modern even three quarter of a century after its creation.