Lot 103

Patek Philippe

Top Hat

A rare and elegant vintage Geneva wristwatch

This 18 K gold example is outstandingly well preserved. Parts of the case and the applied indexes have taken on a beautiful rainbow-coloured patina, showing that the watch has hardly been worn in recent years. The edges of the case are crispy and accentuated.

Reference 1450 is one of the few Patek Philippe wristwatches with a square-shaped movement; it was produced from 1940 to approximately 1960 mainly in yellow gold, with some pink gold and very few white gold or platinum examples with diamond-studded index dials. Collectors often refer to the model as the "Top Hat" because the profile of the watch is reminiscent of that particular head gear. The cases for this reference were made by Markowsky, the dials by Stern Frères. The watch is powered by calibre 9-90, regarded as one of the best form movements created by Patek Philippe.