Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe:ref 541: movement 198.340 “ The most important wristwatch ever made”

Credit: Patek Philippe

Started in 1930, the movement was finally cased in a platinum calatrava 31mm case diameter

It was the first true grand complication, setting the way forward for future complications

It broke the record at auction twice, first in 1981, when the record price was acclaimed as being the catalyst for watch collecting boom

Then broke the million dollar barrier

Here is the extract from the Antiquorum catalogue - because I can not put it anymore succinctly than the original description!

The catalogue put its importance into perspective

Notes

This watch is published in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches", pages 240 - 241. This amazing work of art by Patel< Philippe, of very high quality, is considered as one of the most significant and representative pieces of 20th Century watchmaking. A masterpiece of horological engineering, execution and creative skill. This watch is also published in "Watches " by George Daniels and Cecil Clutton and it is the only prestige wristwatch illustrated in this "bible" of horological literature. This watch was formed in the Bloomfield collection, San Diego, CA. This piece was sold by Antiquorum on 4 October 1981 for the amazing sum of SFr. 185 ' 000. This price and this record triggered the outbreak of the collectors' wristwatch market. As a comparison with some of the most collectable wristwatches, hereunder are their 1981 estimates: - Patel< Philippe astronomic gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phases, Ref. 1526: SFr. 16'000 - 20'000 - Patel< Philippe astronomic gold wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, tachometer, perpetual calendar and moon phases, Ref. 1518: SFr. 25'000 - 30'000 (This particular example is extremely rare with a "Champagne" dial !) - Patek Philippe self-winding gold wristwatch with enamel dial, Ref. 2526: SFr. 3'800 - 4'200 - Patek Philippe gold waterproof wristwatch with round button chronograph, register and tachometer, Ref. 1463: SFr. 5'500 - 6'500 - Patek Philippe gold wristwatch with split-second chronograph, register and tachometer, Ref. 1436: SFr. 13'000 -16'000 - Breguet No 2926, unique Art Deco platinum, "Perpetuelle a Masse", self-winding wristwatch with date and power reserve indicator: SFr. 9'000 - 12'000. This watch, lot 172 of The Art of Breguet" sale in April 1991, by Antiquorum, so ten years later, was sold for SFr. 126'500! This comparison fully demonstrates the extraordinary price reached by this exeptional wristwatch in 1981. It is the first time since 1981 that this watch reappears on the Auction Market and since then wristwatches have enjoyed an ever increasing fascination for collectors all over the world.

It is quite remarkable to have made such an unbelievably complicated piece to n such a small diameter

At a time when there was no CAD

9 Years in the making, it is a unique piece in horological history

And totally priceless -

you can see this piece in the Patek Philippe museum

Thank you to Patek Philippe UK and Geneva for the rare pictures

Best

Imran

Patek Philippe:ref 541: movement 198.340 “ The most important wristwatch ever made”

Notes

Patek Philippe:ref 541: movement 198.340 “ The most important wristwatch ever made”

Fantastic time piece. The dial is sublime, too. What a " face "! [nt]

Was unaware of this reference....

Thanks a lot for this discovery. I didn’t know this reference

Just remarkable horology

Would love to see that "heavy platinum bracelet" it came with!

See Miranda's thread

Fantastic!

My son and myself

Imran thank you once again.....

A most used interesting reference. Highlights the golden age of horological and dare I say it pp