Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, retailed by Tiffany & Co., Ref. 1491, movement no. 963'475, case no. 653'286, manufactured in 1948

Details

Patek Philippe. A fine and rare 18K gold wristwatch with scrolled lugs
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, retailed by Tiffany & Co., Ref. 1491, movement no. 963'475, case no. 653'286, manufactured in 1948
MOVEMENT: manual, cal. 12'''400, stamped HOX, 18 jewels
DIAL: silvered, black Arabic and applied gold baton numerals to 3, 9 and 12 o'clock, subsidiary seconds
CASE: 18K gold, scrolled lugs, snap on back, 34 mm. diam.
SIGNED: case, dial, movement signed by maker, dial further signed by retailer
BUCKLE: 18K gold Patek Philippe buckle
ACCOMPANIED BY: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with raised gold indexes in 1948 and its subsequent sale on 10 May 1949

Special Notice

On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT will be charged at 8% on both the premium as well as the hammer price. Many of the watches offered for sale in this catalogue are pictured with straps made of endangered or protected animal materials such as alligator or crocodile. These endangered species straps are shown for display purposes only and are not for sale. Christie’s will remove and retain the strap prior to shipment from the sale site. At some sale sites, Christie’s may, at its discretion, make the displayed endangered species strap available to the buyer of the lot free of charge if collected in person from the sale site within 1 year of the date of the sale. Please check with the department for details on a particular lot.

Lot Essay

This reference 1491 has never been offered at auction before and impresses by its very good overall condition and the highly attractive Tiffany & Co. dial. As to be expected in this particular instance its regulator bridge bears the stamp "HOX", a mark used by Patek Philippe during the 1940s and 1950s to identify watches made for the American market.

Reference 1491
Launched in 1940 the model is a perfect example of Patek Philippe's continuous search for new and avant-garde innovations, whether in the movement of their watches, or, as in this instance, in the design. The unusual lugs of this model are looking towards a new era of watchmaking design that fully dawned from the sixties on with unusual case shapes, stepped bezels and fancy lugs.

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