Patek Philippe Vintage Sector Dial Collection

quattro · 2025-11-18T21:16:11Z

Explore Patek Philippe's rectangular sector dial watches, from vintage Ref. 404 to modern Ref. 5010J-015. Discover unique designs and historical significance.

quattro

WPS member · Patek Philippe forum

15 replies684 views35 photos

Emmanuel, known as 'quattro' on WatchProSite, presents a captivating exploration of Patek Philippe's rectangular sector dial watches. This curated selection, predominantly vintage with one modern exception, highlights the enduring appeal and intricate design variations of these timepieces. His detailed presentation invites readers to appreciate the subtle nuances and historical significance embedded in each reference.

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Here are seven different rectangular watches, only one of which is modern, and all of which have a wonderful sector dial.

Do you like them as much as I do ?

And do you have a favorite?

Best, Emmanuel

A/ RECTANGULAR-SHAPED YELLOW GOLD CASE NO. 404 FROM 1934

The hard enamel sector-like hour markers in the center of the dial resemble cat whiskers.

The '7' appears to be a modified upside-down '2'.

Beautiful curved long Patek Philippe & Co. signature.

Caliber 9-90.

The engraving on the back commemorates the flight of the French seaplane the Croix du Sud from Cherbourg, France to Ziguinchor, Senegal.

Lieutenant de vaisseau Henri-Laurent Dalliere, a French aviation legend, presumably purchased or was given this watch upon his return to France.

Lieutenant de vaisseau Henri-Laurent Dalliere

credit: Wind Vintage

B/ REFERENCE 404 FROM 1936

20 x 29 mm yellow gold case

Caliber 8-80

credit: Antiquorum

C/ RERENCE 10 WITH ENGRAVED YELLOW GOLD CASE AND BUCKLE

A very unique reference 10 from 1927.

Contrarily to most ref. 10 examples, which feature either exploding numerals or Art Deco-inpired Arabic numerals, this example has a sector dial without any numerals.

26 x 37 mm case.

The caliber is unfortunately round and not shaped (photo from another white gold example).

credit: The Keystone & Loupe This (last photo only)

D/ UNKNOWN REFERENCE FROM THE 1930s

credit: amphicar_it on eBay

E/ REFERENCE 5010J-015 (dating from the early 2000s)

26 x 29 mm yellow gold case

Caliber 215

credit: Artisans of Time (1-3) & Bulang & Sons (4-5)

F/ UNKNOWN REFERENCE FROM 1929 WITH TURTOISE-SHAPED CASE

25,5 X 39 mm yellow gold case

Caliber 10'''

credit: Christie's

G/ UNKNOWN REFERENCE FROM 1930

23 x 38 x 6 mm yellow gold case

credit: Antiquorum

Key Points from the Discussion

The bund strap on the 1934 Patek Philippe is a notable detail, likely chosen for its sporty aesthetic and its association with the original owner, an aviator. This style could potentially be adapted for other rectangular watches like a Reverso with a custom strap.
The 1934 engraved Patek Philippe stands out due to its rich historical context, which significantly enhances its appeal. The timeless elegance of these early Patek Philippe designs demonstrates the brand's mastery of aesthetics.
A specific design element, the '7' numeral with a long tail on one of the watches, is perceived as unusual, prompting a question about its authenticity.
The original author expresses doubt regarding the authenticity of certain numerals on one of the featured watches, suggesting further investigation into their originality.

The Discussion

mdg

Nov 18, 2025

...except for the first one. The one with the engraving is fantastic : )

quattro

Nov 18, 2025

I agree with you that the engraved ref. 10 is wonderful. Best, Emmanuel

mdg

Nov 18, 2025

...and the numbers seemed a bit sloppy...

ArmisT

Nov 18, 2025

But I also have to highlight the bund strap on the first one. I’m a fan of the bund strap style because of the sporty look, and often wondered whether it’d be possible to fit a Reverso on one, just as in this first example. It would have to be a custom strap. I guess in this case it was presented on bund because the recipient was an aviator.

Bill

Nov 19, 2025

The engraved 1934 piece really stands out, the history behind it makes it even more special. Amazing how well these designs have aged. Patek really mastered elegance early on.

quattro

Nov 19, 2025

I personally tend to prefer examples with round hour track. Best, Emmanuel

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Patek Philippe Vintage Sector Dial Collection

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