Ref. 1436A fresh-to-the-market, very rare, and extremely fine yellow gold split-seconds chronograph wristwatch with tachymeter scale
Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: Circa 1950 Reference No: 1436 Movement No: 869’215 Case No: 2’642’013 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13’’’, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 33mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed , Swiss • 1839 Patek Philippe is well known for making some of the finest chronograph watches, from their first chronograph pocket watch made in 1857, to their first known chronograph wristwatch in 1924. A rare variant of the traditional chronograph watch is the split-seconds chronograph mechanism, which is particularly useful for timing two events simultaneously, such as horse and automobile races, along with measuring scientific experiments. To this day, the split-seconds chronograph remains one of the most complicated mechanisms made by the famed Geneva brand, with their earliest known split-seconds chronograph wristwatch dating to 1923.
Patek Philippe introduced the reference 1436 split-seconds chronograph in 1938. The first generation cases were produced by Emile Vichet, while later generation cases, such as the present watch were made by Ponti, Gennari & Cie. Furthermore, second generation examples like the present featured a co-axial button within the crown to split and reunite the split chronograph hands. The model is one of the most elegant references ever produced by the firm, with the rattrapante chronograph mechanism housed in a 33 millimeter diameter case. Research suggests approximately 140 examples were produced throughout the reference's approximate 33 years (1938-1971) of manufacture, meaning an average of 4 watches were produced each year. This is an exceedingly limited number, even by the production standards of the mid-to-late 20th century. The present watch is one of only 10 known examples with co-axial pushers and index dial to be encased in yellow gold.
Fresh-to-the-market and consigned by the family of the original owner, this reference 1436 is in excellent overall condition with crisp hallmarks and an intact hand etched inventory number “69793” to the underside of the top left lug. The case proportions are full and robust, while all of the dial’s wonderful, raised hard enamel printing is perfectly intact and well preserved.
This reference 1436 has passed through three generations; from grandfather to father, and father to son, both of whom were U.S. squash champions with the father inducted into the U.S. Squash Hall of Fame in 2000, and featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1958. The split-seconds mechanism is a legend amongst collectors for its mechanical complexity, and this well-preserved example is a trophy wristwatch for the connoisseur.
PROPERTY OF THE FAMILY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER
