.Patek Philippe like NOS condition Calatrava SPIDER LUGS ref. 1578 TOP SET in Yellow Gold

.Patek Philippe like NOS condition Calatrava SPIDER LUGS ref. 1578 TOP SET in Yellow Gold

21,700.00

PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 1578 Yellow Gold – Very rare, unusual and oversized watch for very sophisticated collectors. Perfect dial with original, very high indelebile.

Patek Philippe produced the reference 1578 from 1943 until approximately 1965. Like its chronograph counterpart reference 1579, reference 1578 is immediately distinguished by its faceted „spider lugs”. The model was cased in yellow, pink and white gold, featuring both subsidiary seconds and centre seconds. The centre seconds variant was produced in two series. The first featured indirect sweep centre seconds, while the second featured calibre 27SC.

Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 35 mm. THICKNESS 11 mm. The watch has been preserved in excellent all original condition. Exhibiting beautiful angles on the lugs, a crisp and deep hallmark on the outer side of the lug, a close to perfect dial with nicely raised enamel, a beautiful example of the reference 1578.

This rare Patek Philippe Spider Lugs ref. 1578 is made even more unusual thanks to additional hallmark on the back: Polish import mark for precious metal (gold 0.750) and letter „W” meaning the Warsaw Assay Office from 1950s.

Unique condition of this very rare reference.

Fine, oversized, 18K yellow gold wristwatch. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives, very rare Patek Philippe leather box with carton, yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle and vintage, unworn alligator Patek Philippe strap.

Case: Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, lapidated lugs, snap-on case-back. Very sharp edges, unique condition.

Dial: Original very high indelebile dial, silver with applied yellow gold faceted baton indexes and outer dot minute markers. Yellow gold dauphine hands. Unique condition.

Movement: Cal. 27SC, stamped with the Geneva Quality Mark, rhodium-plated, fausses côtes decoration, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator.

Diameter: 35mm
Thickness: 11mm

Dial, case and movement signed.

Watch is in amazing condition, accompanied by the Extract from the Archives, Patek Philippe rare leather box with carton, yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle and alligator Patek Philippe strap.

Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1956 and its subsequent sale on December 3rd, 1956.

Very collectible set.

Reference 1578 is the non chronographic brethren of reference 1579. The custom of having two references for the same case design – one with chronograph and one without – is somewhat of a tradition for the vintage production brand: among the most notable examples, beyond references 1578 and 1579, we can count reference 1518 and reference 1526, and their evolutions reference 2499 and 2497.

The distinguishing feature of reference 1578 is found in the lugs: the extremely complex faceted execution of this detail earned both references the nickname „spider lugs” („anse a ragno” in Italian), due to the vague resemblance of the watch profile to the silhouette of an arachnid. The looks granted to the watch by the spider lugs is very appealing, equally unusual, and definitely unmistakable, and over time it became one of the most appreciated designs by Patek Philippe collectors. The downside of this construction is however en extreme sensitivity to polishing: the sharp edges of the lugs facets are the cornerstone on which the looks of this model is built upon, but they are doomed to fade after just a handful of polishings. Luckily, in this instance the facets are still very well preserved and defined, as are the hallmarks on the sides of the lugs.
The fact that such a design has never again been re-proposed by the brand makes the two references even more appealing and collectible: if a Patek Philippe enthusiasts wants to own one of the iconic „Patek Spider Lugs”, he or she has only these two options.

Reference 1578 actually presents a complex evolution: it was produced both with small seconds at 6 o’ clock, and with center seconds such as in the present instance. Not only the center seconds is considered by many the most appealing version, but it is furthermore the rarest. Center seconds 1578 can be divided in two series: the first series, in production from 1943 to 1950, features cal. 12SC, the second series (1949 – 1962) – of which the present piece is a representative – features instead the celebrated calibre 27SC. Considered one of the best center seconds vintage calibres, this movement will be used by Patek for some of their most appreciated and collectible timepieces, it will be for example the base on which the brand will build the movement of perpetual calendar reference 2497 (and 2438/1).

Its iconic looks, technical proficiency and overall rarity would already make this piece highly appealing, but the condition of this example even further up a collector wish list, as it additional hallmark on the back: Polish import mark for precious metal (gold 0.750) and letter „W” meaning the Warsaw Assay Office from 1950s.

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