sham1
9766
Possibly my next watch! :-)
I was in the UK over the last week attending my son's graduation and had a day off to myself to embark on my customary watch pilgrimage to the Patek salon and the various arcades in Mayfair when I came across a shop I was unfamiliar with (totally disgraceful as I had been living in the UK for 37 years!!). Many a time on these pilgrimages, I hope to see nothing that I like so that I can go home and be happy and content with what I already have. Unfortunately for me, last Friday was a total disaster as I came across a watch that looked even better in the flesh than in the photos. Even via the loupe, this beauty from 1943 looked quite superb possibly because it had been sent back to Patek in 1999 for a restoration.
It passed my stringent wrist test with flying colours (see photo) while the colour of the dial being a silverish/off white gave the watch an added elegance. I love the shape of the lugs as I do the case and the numerals. The dealer not only showed me the extract from the archives but also various invoices for the watch plus an excerpt from the book Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Watches that stated that only six of these watches are known to exist! 1943 afterall was in the midst of the second world war and I assume Patek's annual production must have been pretty low but I doubt if only six of these were actually produced. Fifty to a hundred seems more likely but I am no guru of vintage Pateks. In fact, the main thing stopping me from proceeding with the purchase is the fact that the watch is 74 years old as I intend to divide wrist time between my H Moser, the Patek 7200R London edition and the 1530A.
The end decision is of course mine but I would appreciate your input please.
Thank you.
Best wishes,
Sham
for me this is one of the most elegant watches I have seen in years!
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Possibly my next watch! :-)
I was in the UK over the last week attending my son's graduation and had a day off to myself to embark on my customary watch pilgrimage to the Patek salon and the various arcades in Mayfair when I came across a shop I was unfamiliar with (totally disgrace...
I love the Roman indexes and the lugs shape a lot
Really desirable timepiece for me. I really hope we'll see more pictures of it soon 😉 Best wishes Alkiro
You and me alike, Alkiro!
But the only way you will be seeing more pictures of this watch is if I return to London to buy this watch! I am a bit odd as I believe in fate so if this was watch is meant to be mine, it will be somehow And if you beat me to it and happen to pick it up ...
Thanks for saying so Alkiro!
This would be quite an unplanned purchase but as you correctly say, I need to find a solution to own it somehow!!
Timing is everything!!
I shall make a decision on my mum's birthday which is on 25 July. I am a sentimental kinda guy!!
Thank you Ahmed!
Seldom have I tried on a watch that fits my wrist this well and I doubt if I will come across another 1530A in this condition. Decisions, decisions!
Kev, your encouragement is most appreciated!
It becomes quite a dilemma when the watch is not only beautiful but also looks great on the wrist! Dilemma not because I have to think whether or not to buy it but rather 'how to buy it! Where is Bill Gates when you need him?!
One can only try Kev! :-)
Not quite a charitable cause but hey, I will buy a Microsoft Pro Surface 4 to make him happy
Fortunately,
I had mentioned to the dealer that I might not be back to the UK until later this year so for a 50% deposit, the dealer would be willing to hold the watch for 6 months. I just completed the 13 hour flight to Kuala Lumpur and am not excited to have to do i...
Well, perhaps a slow trip back then.
It sounds like you dearly want to add this one to your collection. It certainly is worth your consideration.
I agree Mike!
I was saving up (not sure how this is done after retirement!! ) for either a Gronefeld Remontoire or a Voutilainen 2 Eight (like the Vingt 8 but smaller and without the second hand) but this Patek is possibly more 'me' than either of the other two.
Roger, I have seldom said this
but I am humbled by this watch. Something about it , not sure what - the dealer was quite amused when I started literally talking to it (yes, early retirement seems to have had a negative impact on my senses!!) It is one thing when we ask 'does the watch ...
Lovely piece in SS - rare
Dial condition looks pristine If it is meant to be it will happen!! Good luck Julian
Amazing watches, and the history is cool
I've always had a soft spot for rectangular watches, and this one is no exception. However, looking at your three rotation candidates, I do suspect this might end up with less wrist time just because it doesn't always "fit in" with all occasions as would ...
Thanks Richard for the encouragement!
I have a strange feeling that you will be seeing me a lot sooner than you will this watch but hopefully it will be part of my collection soon.
Many thanks for your feedback!
The watch is so elegant that it would probably look great on most people's wrist!
I have been eyeing this watch for a few months now
but finally decided to view it hoping that I would not like it but actually fell in love with it!
I too
look forward to seeing it on my wrist even if I have to wait until my next trip to the UK.
Beautiful . . .
Elegant, rare, a statement piece and a good size on your wrist. The true heirloom to pass on to the next few generations. A privileged opportunity for you so easy to loose. If you can, buy it. What possible regrets would you have unless you do not. Best C...
Eloquently put Clive! :-)
There is a desire among vintage watch collectors to buy a watch with an original dial. I hope this one is even though I have a strange feeling it has been restored by Patek in which case I would actually be quite pleased as the restoration would have been...
My heart has spoken :-)
and I am just waiting for a good friend of mine to check with Patek (who had the watch in 1999) if the dial has been cleaned, restored or replaced. Saying that, at least the work has been done by Patek Thanks Brauner!
Interesting that they will divulge that info
I have never thought to ask Let us know the outcome Julian
I think I may be fortunate
as my good friend, a fellow purist, is well connected and it was actually his suggestion that he would contact Patek for me. I too am most curious at the outcome and if Patek would have the service information from 18 years ago at hand.
The decision!!
I have decided to purchase this watch and I would like to thank all of you for your feedback and overwhelming encouragement. I hope to collect the watch the next time I visit the UK (hopefully before the year ends). A very special mention must be made to ...
I am very excited for you.
I knew you wanted it and now, with Mike's help and assurances you have the confidence to invest in a beautiful historical Patek. You done good!
Thanks Mike!
I am beginning to like everyone called Mike!! I have left a deposit for the watch and have taken a big sigh - which is partly relief from securing the watch and partly because I sure hope venturing into the world of vintage Pateks will not leave me with a...
Hi Sham, this reference is an interesting choice and provides diversity to your collection !
The case and roman numerals give it a very different look vs your other pieces. The lugs are vintage looking. If the above factors matter to you, then go for it. Good luck with your decision. Cheers, Gordon
Thanks Gordon!
I need diversity as I noticed I tend to go for dress watches - round, Breguet numerals so this rectangular vintage piece in steel will be something quite unique. By the way, I have left a deposit for the watch!
OMG Sham, you left another deposit ! :-0
Is this going to be another long term payment plan under which you will get the watch in 20 years ??!! LOL ! Hope to see this vintage piece on your wrist "soon" ! Cheers, Gordon
Very funny Gordon!!! :-)
I have left a 50% deposit with the dealer and the balance is due by January 2018 so there is a good chance that I shall be wearing it the next time we meet!! I hope to return to the UK in September or October this year so I shall pick it up then.
Very unique in today's modern collections
They have this little unique something and the beauty that make them very appealing as long as we like these shaped watches. It is elegant, with a stronger personality, something you don't see everywhere, with nice lines... I had the same experience with ...
Thanks Mark!
I have purchased many watches but this watch is making me more excited than most. It may be a simple manual winding watch but there is something poetic about the watch that has won me over. Perhaps it is the numerals, the silverish dial colour, the beauti...
Thanks Kamal!
You will definitely be one of the first purists to see it but like me, you will have to wait for a few months
I actually enjoy waiting for my watches
which is quite unusual as I am not the most patient of people. However with watches, I make an exception because for me, part of the joy of ownership is the waiting for the dream. As Gordon jested quite accurately, I am waiting for my RW Smith which shoul...
It is in good hands :)
And we'll be happy to see some pictures in the future! Best, Mark