Patek Philippe

Large and Oversized Vintage Patek Philippe Wristwatches

 

 

Introduction

Let me put the things straight. Modern oversized watches are not my cup of tea. Anything above a 40 mm diameter hardly gets my attention.

I still remember that, 15 years, ago the 37 mm 5107 reference was called the ‘Calatrava Grande Taille‘ i.e. the ‘Large Size Calatrava’. The 42 mm diameter of the 5070 chronograph was such a bold move by Patek Philippe that it shocked some aficionados. Its older brothers at the time, the 3970 and 5004 references had just a 36 mm diameter!

I somehow regret the move to larger cases. Give me a 33 mm 3939 or a 38 mm 5078 over a 42 mm 5074 minute repeater at anytime. As most of the current movements were developed at the time where the cases were smaller, larger watches mean some twists with the case and the dial lay out. Patek Philippe might be very smart at that game but there will always be a flaw somewhere. Just compare the ‘old’ 5050 and the ‘new’ 5496 perpetual calendar references with the retrograde date indication. On the 5496’s dial, you will notice the leap year aperture cutting the 15 and 17 on the retrograde date indication while the dial of the 5050 is pure harmony (the same finding applies to the 5013 and 5016 references versus their respective new iterations i.e. the 5213 and 5216 references). Don’t ask me what I think about the Grand Master Chime. It is a pocket watch in disguise.

In the past, small meant beautiful. A small and complicated caliber was considered as craftsmanship at its best. The one off 3615 reference which was the first true grand complication wristwatch ever produced by Patek Philippe (i.e. Perpetual Calendar, Chronograph and Minute Repeater) had just a 33,9 mm diameter while the current production, the 5208 reference, shows a bulky 42 mm. Pure elegance and understatement versus somehow show off pieces.

Credit: Huber & Banbery

The 2510 reference (37.3 mm)

With a diameter of 37 mm, thee 2481 and 2482 references are worth being mentioned. Because of their large size, they were used for the beautiful enamel cloisonné dials (I will come back on these references in a future article)

Less known than its smaller sister (the 3417), the 3460 Amagnetic reference has an impressive diameter of 37.5 mm.

Other references worth mentioning are: 2511 (36.5 mm), 2458 (36 mm), 2459 (37 mm) and 3485 (36 mm). 

 A 2511 reference:

There is a special 2458 reference in platinum fitted with an observatory movement that belonged to JB Champion and that achieved a record price of USD 3,992,858 at Christie’s on 12 November 2012. This is to date, the most expensive time only watch.

Chronographs

The 530 reference (36.4 mm)

The 1506 reference (36 mm)

The 1554 reference (36 mm)

The 1579 reference (36 mm)

The unique perpetual calendar chronograph 1527 reference (37.6mm)

The sublime perpetual calendar chronograph reference 2499 (37.7 mm)

The perpetual calendar chronograph 2499 reference is true a work of art. I could not resist posting the one that belonged to Eric Clapton, one of the two only examples in platinum. The other can be seen at the Patek Philippe Museum

Other Complicated watches

Most of the vintage perpetual calendars (manually wound and automatic) were actually quite gigantic with diameters in the range of 37 mm. We are talking about the following reference in sequential orders: 2497 (36.7 mm), 2438 (37.2 mm), 3449 (37.5 mm), 3448 (37.5 mm) and 3450 (37.7 mm). All shown below in the sequential orders (credit Huber & Banbery) The current production is no match against these beauties.

2. Larger but not oversized vintage watches  

If you re looking for more than 38 mm in vintage watches, then the list is shrinking. With the exception of the Chronograph 2499, most of the below references are one off watches or were produced in extremely small quantities (non exhaustive list):

Officer watch (38,3 mm)

 
Credit PP Catalog

Credit PP Catalog

 
Credit PP Catalog

Credit PP Catalog

For shaped watches, if a minimum length of 45 mm is considered as the threshold for large watches, the list is even smaller (non exhaustive):

The Patek Philippe Museum mentions two Chronometro Gondolo & Labouriau watches and one similar ‘Curvex’ watch, all with a length above 50 mm (Gondolo & Labouriau 51.1 by 30 mm, Gondolo & Labouriau 52.3 by 30 mm and ‘Curvex’ 50.9 by 30 mm). 

Finally, there is also the unique ‘Graves’ oversized platinum watch, which measures 47 by 39 mm. Sotheby’s sold it on 14 June 2012 for USD 362,500. According to Sotheby’s, Henry Graves bought it directly from Tiffany & Co in late 1947 for a price of USD 1,500. The reason for the high cost of this particular watch was the specially made and extremely heavy platinum case. The movement of this watch was completed and sold to HSWA in 1942. The 12 lignes movement was chosen for its observatory-quality finish and accuracy. Stamped twice with the seal of Geneva, the movement represented the highest quality of Patek Philippe's wristwatch calibers.

But let’s face it, all the abovementioned watches are still relatively small as none of them are reaching a diameter of at least 40 mm which is actually the diameter of the larger watch I own i.e. my beloved 5970 chronograph.

 

3. Oversized vintage watches

 If you want to think big and consider XXL in Philippe Patek terms, you will need to look for watches with a diameter greater than 45 mm. The ‘Supersize Me’ vintage Patek Philippe watches do exist. There are just a handful of pieces known to this date. To the best of my knowledge, there are five oversized wristwatches.

Two Aviator watches

Aviator watches were worn over the sleeve of the pilot’s jacket. They also needed to be highly readable hence their size. Patek Philippe only produced two hour angle wristwatches.

Movement number 170 383

The first aviator watch is an hour angle wristwatch with black dial and fitted with simple centre seconds hand only, is extensively described and illustrated in the Huber & Banbery book (pp. 252 & 253). Sold at public auction in 1991, it is now on permanent exhibit at Patek Philippe Museum.

Credit Huber & Banbery

The note of the May 2009 Christie’s auction provides very valuable details on these watches. It indicates that in spring of 1936 both Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin were approached by a private to develop, produce and supply a very small series of hour angle wristwatches for testing.

With a diameter of 56 mm, these are the largest wristwatches ever produced by Patek Philippe.

Two chronographs

The ‘Trossi’ mono pusher chronograph

Credit Sotheby's

The oversized split second chronograph 2512 reference

This yellow gold with a black dial split second chronograph is very well known as it was the direct inspiration for the revered 5070 chronograph. It is exhibited at the Patek Philippe Museum. With a diameter of 46.2 mm, it is bold and impressive. Somehow the pushers are relatively too small compared to the size of the case.

One time only watch

With the same reference number as the oversized split second chronograph, the 2512/1 reference is the sole oversized time only watch. It achieved a price tag of USD 962,500 at Sotheby’s on 4 December 2012.

Like the chronograph bearing the same reference number, it shows a substantial 46.2 mm diameter. Likewise, the dial is black and the yellow gold case shows a similar design.

Conclusion

Interestingly, Patek Philippe produced many references that could be considered as large at the time they were manufactured. Not surprisingly, these watches are catching the collectors’ interest.

In absolute terms, the oversized watches were UFO’s in the whole Patek Philippe production. This explains their attractiveness and the prices they achieved at auction.

But I rest my case. I prefer smaller watches. Luckily, the current production still offers some nice and elegant references meeting my expectations. The fact that the new world timer is even smaller than its predecessor is a very smart move and I hope that Patek Philippe will pursue that trend.

 

 

 

This message has been edited by Mark in Paris on 2016-05-16 09:25:44

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