151 Patek Philippe A massive and very attractive, Beta 21, cushion-shape wristwatch in yellow gold with champagne dial, reference 3587/1.

Estimate: € 12.000 –⁠ 24.000

At a time when the Swiss watch industry faced an existential turning point, Patek Philippe responded not with resistance, but with brilliance. The result was the Beta 21 – a movement that signaled not only the dawn of the quartz era but also the Maison’s refusal to compromise on elegance, craftsmanship, or prestige. Presented here is perhaps the most compelling embodiment of that moment: the reference 3587, Patek Philippe’s debut quartz wristwatch and one of its boldest creations. Cased in solid 18k yellow gold, its cushion profile is both architectural and opulent, with a distinct bezel that elevates the visual weight of the piece while echoing the angularity of the emerging 1970s aesthetic. The sapphire crystal — a rarity for the time — and the screw-down caseback speak to a forward-thinking approach to durability and utility. The two-tone champagne dial is a masterclass in mid-century minimalism: sharp applied indexes in black and gold, crisp outer minute divisions, and a date aperture. Inside, the revolutionary Beta 21 caliber hums with quiet confidence. Developed as part of a historic collaboration among Switzerland’s most elite maisons, it was never meant to be mass-produced. The Patek Philippe 3587 is a cornerstone in the story of horology itself: few watches speak more clearly of a brand’s capacity to evolve without losing its soul.