PATEK PHILIPPE | BETA 21, REF 3597/2, LARGE YELLOW GOLD CUSHION-FORM BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE MADE IN 1974
PATEK PHILIPPE
BETA 21, REF 3597/2
LARGE YELLOW GOLD CUSHION-FORM BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE
MADE IN 1974
Dial : two-tone gilt
Caliber : cal B-21 quartz, 13 jewels
Movement number : 8'196
Case : 18ct yellow gold
Case number : 2'741'744
Closure : 18ct yellow gold Patek Philippe perforated bracelet and locking clasp
Size : 42 x 43 mm, bracelet circumference approx. 165mm
Signed : case, dial and movement
Accessories : Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated December 13,1975, Patek Philippe service letter dated September, 2019, Original booklet and leather service pouch
To view Shipping Calculator, please click herePATEK PHILIPPE | BETA 21, REF 3597/2, LARGE YELLOW GOLD CUSHION-FORM BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE MADE IN 1974 PATEK PHILIPPE | BETA 21, REF 3597/2, LARGE YELLOW GOLD CUSHION-FORM BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE MADE IN 1974
Estimate:
9,000 - 14,000 GBP PATEK PHILIPPE
BETA 21, REF 3597/2
LARGE YELLOW GOLD CUSHION-FORM BRACELET WATCH WITH DATE
MADE IN 1974
Dial : two-tone gilt
Caliber : cal B-21 quartz, 13 jewels
Movement number : 8'196
Case : 18ct yellow gold
Case number : 2'741'744
Closure : 18ct yellow gold Patek Philippe perforated bracelet and locking clasp
Size : 42 x 43 mm, bracelet circumference approx. 165mm
Signed : case, dial and movement
Accessories : Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated December 13,1975, Patek Philippe service letter dated September, 2019, Original booklet and leather service pouch
To view Shipping Calculator, please click here Condition report
DIAL: dial and hands in excellent overall condition. The hour markers display slight losses of black colouring, visible under strong light and magnification.
CASE: in very good overall condition with one light surface mark to the brushed case profile at 4 o'clock. The case profile hallmark remains fully legible.
MVT: running at the time of cataloguing. The date is advancing, seconds hack when the crown is pulled out.
Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense. Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts.
You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band.
Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.
Please note: Condition 11 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The online condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance purposes only. The images of the lot also form part of the online condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Any reference to condition in the online condition report does not amount to a full description of condition. The online condition report may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the online condition report of the lot or shown in the online images of the lot (for example, the online condition report may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome). Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. The online condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation but rather the online condition report is a statement of subjective, qualified opinion (for example, information regarding colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact). Please also note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and wrist bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. In addition, certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot (for example, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades). For these reasons, the online condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. Prospective buyers should also refer to the Buying at Auction guide which includes important notices concerning the type of property in this sale. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species. Please be advised that wristbands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE. During difficult times, companies are expected to think outside of the box, taking risks and implementing drastic change. The year 1969 holds such an important place in watchmaking history as it indeed saw the release of a new movement strain, with the release of the caliber Beta 21. This tremendous achievement was in fact the product of an unprecedented multi-brand cooperation, involving 20 manufacturers including Omega, Piaget or Rolex among others.
Following more than 5 years of research and development, the first two iterations of the Beta caliber were issued in 1966 and 1967 under the code names Beta-1 and -2.
The accuracy potential of the quartz movement was demonstrated by the Beta-2's victory at the 1967 Concours Chronométrique International de Neuchatel.
The Beta 21 caliber was released in 1969 and set to be produced in 6,000 examples. Despite its unparalleled accuracy of approximately 5 seconds per month, the caliber would suffer from short battery life and its use proved limited by its large 14 lines size. The highly contained overall production undeniably turned the Beta 21-equipped wristwatches into collectable testimonies of a difficult time for the industry, making them highly popular among collectors.
The present reference 3597/2 was manufactured in 1974 and subsequently sold in December 1975. In this particular variant, the typical oversized yellow gold case blends elegantly with the integrated perforated bracelet and is further accentuated by a stunning two-tone gilt dial, while the case, dial and bracelet stand in excellent condition. This example ticks all the boxes a collector would wish for. The wristwatch underwent a service at Patek Philippe London in September 2019. and is offered with its original Certificate of Origin and booklet.
It is estimated that approximately 50 examples of this configuration were ultimately manufactured by Patek Philippe, with less than 10 coming back to the auction market.
