PATEK PHILIPPE
REF. 591 A RARE AND ATTRACTIVE PINK GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH PINK DIAL AND PULSATION SCALE, RETAILED BY WALSER WALD
Year: 1939 - Movement No: 862’240 - Case No: 619’400 - Model Name: “Fagiolino” - Material: 18K pink gold
Calibre: Manual, cal. 13’’’, 23 jewels - Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe buckle - Dimensions: 34mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
Accessories: Accompanied by photocopy of Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with raised gold hour markers and pulsometer scale in 1939 and its subsequent sale on September 11th, 1939.
Estimate: $ 50,000 - 100,000 - € 44.300 - 88.600
The Patek Philippe chronograph reference 591 is one of the most elusive and rare chronographs made by the Geneva brand with an estimated total of 54 models in pink gold.
Produced from 1938 until the early 1950s, the design of the reference 591 is a fine balance between decadence and simplicity with its superbly slim and elegant case and dramatic short, down turned lugs. At the time of production, the model was entirely different from anything that the manufacture had ever produced. The case, produced by Wenger, featured “bean”-shaped lugs, lovingly dubbed “Fagiolino”, or “little bean” in Italian. It is incredible to think that such a striking and contemporary design dates back to nearly 80 years ago.
The superb pink dial with rare pulsation scale perfectly complements the pink gold case providing for a superb monochromatic result. The dial is furthermore signed Walser Wald, a prominent Patek Philippe retailer based in Buenos Aires which further explains the flamboyant personality of the present watch. Scholars will also be interested to know that the inside caseback is stamped with an owl which is normally found on watches imported into France.
Whereas the latter were stamped with two owl heads, the present model has only one. The reason being that all of Patek Philippe’s timepieces destined for the South American market were shipped via ports in France and thus had to be stamped with French import marks, nevertheless since these watches were in transit and not destined for the local market, the owl head was stamped only once and not twice.
It is interesting to note that the present model has a unique dial in many aspects. It is the second known reference 591 with a pink dial and pulsations scale (the other having a 15 pulsations scale as opposed to the 30 pulsations found here) and the only one known with the Walser Wald signature. This is a true treasure for the connoisseur.