While most rectangular watches from the era were either small or very small, this watch was a strong exception. Quite large for the era with understated silver face and beautiful "Pagoda" case, it showcases a classic and ultra-elegant Patek style.
It also feels more substantial than most rectangular watches from the era. It has spent the majority of the last six months in my collection.
Ref. 1588 was launched in 1944 and was produced for just over a decade. The case was made by Markowski, the preferred maker of Patek Philippe for iconic "shaped' cases such as the "Hour-Glass" ref. 1593 and the "Top-Hat" ref. 1450.
It is powered by one of Patek Philippe's illustrious 9'90 movements, so well designed that Patek used it for more than 40 years. The 9'90 Patek Philippe movement is a tonneau shaped movement introduced in 1934 and was fitted into many famous Patek Philippe watches such as the "Banana" (ref. 2442), the "Eiffel Tower " (ref. 2441), the "Top Hat" (ref. 1588) and the "Tegolino."
Our example has a sought-after double-signed dial, co-signed for Serpico Y Laino, the prestigious retailer in Caracas jeweler. Founded in 1925, Serpico y Laino was the leading luxury watch retailer in Venezuela for roughly 40 years and today the watches that bear their signature are very desirable.
Serpico y Laino signed Pateks are also distinctive among the group of watches featuring retailer signatures, in that their markings aren’t limited to their dials alone. In addition to signing the dials of the watches they sold, the Venezuelan retailer went as far as engraving the casebacks with “S&L” to make their offerings easily traceable.
Because Serpico y Laino signed watches tend to command significant prices, quite a few have attempted to replicate the signature on authentic watches, making the process of purchasing an example more trepidatious for less educated buyers without a trusted dealer with significant expertise.
It is in all-original condition. Its case is in excellent condition. Its untouched original dial with original Serpico Y Laino signature shows only fairly mild aging.
Our Master Watchmaker has performed any needed servicing. It is keeping time on par with a brand new Patek in our testing position.
For the finishing touch we have equipped it with an aftermarket alligator grain leather strap done in the modern Patek style and genuine 18K gold Patek buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Accompanying it is an Extract from the Patek Philippe archives attesting to its originality and authenticity. Patek charges 500 CHF (approx. $575) to obtain one.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate attesting to its performance.
Note: by Christie's on the world famous Serpico Y Laino Patek ref. 2499 that sold for $3.3 million a few years includes a very nice educating section on Serpico Y Laino.
- Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Serial no.: 974,629
- Year built: c. 1952; sold December 19th, 1952
- Model: Ref. 1588, so called "Pagoda"
- Functions: Hours, Minutes and Subsidiary Seconds
- Designed for: Men
- Case material: 18K gold
- Case markings (inside): Patek Philippe & Co, Geneve, Swiss, .750, 1588, 671,383, Ref. 1588
- Case markings (outside): Personalized "VM" and stamped S&L and 18K for Serpico Y Laino and the case material.
- Case condition: Near mint plus with very little wear and only slight signs of previous polishing.
- Dimensions: 24mm wide (without the crown) by 40mm long lug tip-to-tip
- Dial: Silver with gold faceted dart and Roman numeral applied indexes, signed Patek Philippe and Geneve, and Serpico Y Laino, original and untouched
- Hands: Original, gold "batons"
- Movement type: Extremely high grade, manually wound, Cal. 9-90, tonneau-shaped, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, micrometer regulator
- Jewels: 18 rubies
- Band: Leather, aftermarket, done in a modern Patek style with 18K gold genuine Patek buckle. We also stock lizard and a variety of other straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
- Width between lugs: 18mm
- Servicing: Our Master Watchmaker has performed any needed servicing making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is keeping time on par with a brand new Patek in our testing position. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of four watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Extract from the Patek Philippe archives attesting to its originality and authenticity; Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
