Wristwatches · Wristwatch
18ct yellow gold Patek Philippe chronograph wristwatch, 1948
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe (maker)
- Date
- 1948
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- yellow gold
- Dimensions
- Case 36 mm
- Stock no.
- G3548
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Somlo Antiques (G3548)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 18ct yellow gold Patek Philippe chronograph wristwatch. Made 1948 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Somlo Antiques (dealer), London (stock number G3548), this is a wristwatch by Patek Philippe, made in Switzerland, dated 1948. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: yellow gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 mm. The record is illustrated with 2 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Somlo Antiques
The reference 1579, is arguably one of Patek Philippe's most iconic chronographs the which was introduced in 1943. It is fair to say that the design of the 1579 was somewhat revolutionary when considering the aesthetic of many other men's watches made during the same period. With a diameter of 36mm the case is oversized by the standard of the time in which it was produced, an attribute which in many respects makes it more desirable now than it was then. Secondly its striking, sharp faceted lugs - which were to earn it its nickname 'Spider Lugs' - provide a pleasingly brutal aesthetic, an aesthetic that is most discernible when the watch is being worn and used, and one that is unique to this and its sister reference the 1578. Brand: Patek Philippe Year: 1948 Model: Chronograph Reference: 1579 Calibre: 13''' Movement: Manual Material: 18ct yellow gold Features/complications: Spider lugs and chronograph Dial: Silvered dial with black printed outer Base 1000 tachymetre scale and inner minute track featuring applied gilt mirror polished baton hour markers with Arabic numerals at 6 and 12 o'clock, subsidiary dials at 3 and 9 o'clock for constant seconds and 30 minute register with gilt polished sword hands and blued steel chronograph hand Case dimensions: 36mm Bracelet/strap: Leather strap Accessories: - SKU: 3548
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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