Lot 16
Patek Philippe. A fine and rare 18k pink gold rectangular mechanical wristwatch Y
'Top Hat' Ref.1450, Movement No.976'794, Case No.632'275, made in 1956, sold on September 30th, 1982
Auction: Icons of Time: Patek Philippe | Lots 1- 17 | Thurs 19 November 2026 from 2pm
Description
Cal.9-90, manual winding, 18 jewel movement adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and five positions with micro-regulation, Geneva quality seal and Gyromax balance, silvered dial with applied pink gold dot and baton indexes, subsidiary seconds, pink gold baton hands, 18k pink gold rectangular case with raised upper and lower rectangular sections, inner upper case stamped with the last three case digits, 275, pink gold Calatrava crown. Case, dial and movement signed. On golden brown crocodile strap with 18k pink gold Patek Philippe buckle.
Accompanied by a Patek Philippe case and Extract from the Archives dated September 2002.
Dimensions
Width at centre 21mm.
Footnote
One of Patek Philippe’s celebrated rectangular designs, reference 1450 is referred to as the ‘Top Hat’ amongst collectors, a nickname inspired by its hooded lugs and geometric case which evoke the silhouette of a top hat. It was produced in all four precious metals from the 1940s through to the 1960s.
When vintage watches started to become collectable in the late 1980s, the Top Hat Ref.1450 model was one of the first examples from Patek Philippe to increase in demand.
It is very unusual, although not unheard of, to find a Patek Philippe watch made in 1956 and sold in 1982.
