Lot 138

Patek Philippe

An extremely rare Geneva wristwatch in near mint condition, with split seconds chronograph and tachy scale - with original box, Patek Philippe leather folder with documentation, operating instructions and original certificate, leather wallet with brochures, additional platinum push back and original hang tag - full set!

Amongst the wide range of complications Patek Philippe uses with such ingenious skill and competence, the split seconds chronograph holds a particularly important position. Even the first Patek Philippe wrist chronograph launched in 1923 came with a rattrapante function. The successor of this remarkable first series was the Grand Complication reference 5370, which had an extravagant, technical-masculine presence with a black enamel dial and a novel split seconds mechanism inside.
The manufactory calibre CHR 29-535 PS is a masterful merge of tradition with innovation. The manual-wind calibre with column-wheel control and wheel clutch boasts – in addition to the typical features of a classic design – several patented technical novelties that make it one of the most advanced movements of its kind. The optimised chronograph mechanism is combined with new functions for the split seconds, among them the isolator for the rattrapante hand lever, which breaks the connection between the split seconds wheel and the chronograph wheel as soon as the lap time has been stopped. This avoids any unnecessary friction and keeps the amplitude of the balance constant. The rattrapante lever with a ruby roller between two flat contact shoulders ensures that the chronograph hand and the split seconds hand are perfectly aligned when they are superimposed.
The magnificent platinum case is the perfect frame for the engineering marvel inside. It presents gentle curves and cambers that are arranged beautifully and in perfect balance with each other as well as with the smooth, rounded lugs. The fine enamel dial boasts a gorgeous, deep black colour and excellent readability.