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Lot Essay
This extremely rare and attractive Patek Philippe watch, the only example of a reference 687 in steel and with Breguet numerals confirmed by the Extract to appear in public to date, combines some highly sought after features. The rare stainless steel case, the classic tachometer dial with highly desirable Breguet numerals further enhanced by vertically set subsidiary dials and the excellent overall condition.
Launched in the late 1930s, reference 687 was made in an extremely small series only, comprising 12 examples in yellow gold and 12 examples in steel. So far only two examples in steel have appeared at auction, the present watch, the only one with Breguet numerals and another with movement and case numbers 862’448/621452, made in 1940.
The reference 687 pocket chronograph shares much more in common than might be imagined with the exceptional and enormously desirable wristwatches of the same period such as the reference 130 and 1463. In fact the movement, caliber 13’’’130 with 23 jewels is exactly the same as that used in both those wristwatch references. The present watch would therefore make a complementary and magnificent pairing for the fortunate owner of either a steel 130 or 1463 with Breguet dial.
The other known example of the steel reference 687 is prominently illustrated and described in Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger, 2010, p. 26-27.
Launched in the late 1930s, reference 687 was made in an extremely small series only, comprising 12 examples in yellow gold and 12 examples in steel. So far only two examples in steel have appeared at auction, the present watch, the only one with Breguet numerals and another with movement and case numbers 862’448/621452, made in 1940.
The reference 687 pocket chronograph shares much more in common than might be imagined with the exceptional and enormously desirable wristwatches of the same period such as the reference 130 and 1463. In fact the movement, caliber 13’’’130 with 23 jewels is exactly the same as that used in both those wristwatch references. The present watch would therefore make a complementary and magnificent pairing for the fortunate owner of either a steel 130 or 1463 with Breguet dial.
The other known example of the steel reference 687 is prominently illustrated and described in Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger, 2010, p. 26-27.