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Patek Philippe Rectangular Case 18K YG, 1924 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Patek Philippe Rectangular Case 18K YG, 1924

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Patek Philippe (maker)
Date
1924
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
PP1924
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (PP1924)
Catalogue title (original)
1924 Patek Philippe Rectangular Case 18K YG W/ Box & Extract from the Archives (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number PP1924), this is a wristwatch by Patek Philippe, made in Switzerland, dated 1924. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 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 — Craft & Tailored

The watch advert heard round the world. “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation.” We're in the camp that this couldn't be more true. The craftsmanship of Patek Philippe wristwatches, surpassed by arguably no one for decades, has created a generational foundation for these watches to be passed down and to remain functional, relevant, and timeless for years to come. In this case just two shy of a full century. Stock # PP1924 Brand Patek Philippe Style Rectangle Case Model N/A Serial 80XXXX/28XXXX Size Men's Material 18K Yellow Gold Dial Silver "Aged" Millimeters 26X37 Bracelet 2pc Alligator Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The 18k yellow gold case is a beautiful and long rectangular shape that slopes in a gentle ergonomic curve to fit the wrist perfectly, the case remains in exceptionally well-preserved condition given its age. The case features diminutive yellow gold lugs that perfectly serve the rest of the watch design. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc alligator leather strap. DIAL & HANDS For being very nearly a hundred years old, this silver dial has aged remarkably well. The patina spots are evenly distributed, with the top section having aged ever so slightly darker, giving the dial an appearance of a soft gradient. The large radium numerals leap off the dial and the stunning cathedral-style hands have aged to a wonderful, warm cream and brown. The radium lume in the Arabic numerals and hands is evenly applied and believed to be original, showing no visible degradation under U.V. light inspection. ACCESSORIES The watch comes with a coffin-style Patek Philippe box and an Extract from the Archives. The watch is keeping time, previous service history is unknown.

Historical context

Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)

The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.

The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

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.

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