17 Patek Philippe A fine and rare, chronograph wristwatch in pink gold, with two-tone pink dial and extract from the archives, reference 533.

Estimate: € 40.000 –⁠ 80.000

While reference 130 often dominates the conversation surrounding vintage Patek Philippe chronographs, it is but one chapter in a more intricate story. One of its most compelling and closely related siblings is the reference 533, as illustrated by the present watch. Introduced in 1937, reference 533 shares the same celebrated movement and dial architecture as the 130, but is distinguished by a flat, angular bezel in place of the 130’s more fluid concave design. This seemingly modest adjustment radically transforms the aesthetic—imbuing the watch with a bolder, more architectural presence on the wrist. Produced for just two decades until 1957, the reference 533 was made in small numbers. It is estimated that only around 350 examples were ever produced: among these, the present piece stands in a class of its own. A rare pink gold example featuring a two-tone pink dial with applied Arabic numerals. Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its production in 1946, and documentation of a prior Patek service, this reference 533 is a superb specimen by every measure. In today’s market, this watch represents a true trophy for the collector of vintage Patek Philippe chronographs.