Thanks kindly! I’m a little particular to the Pateks from the 40’s and 50’s… Just something about that era for me. These builds are rather small by today’s standards; 35mm to 36mm in size, though for their time, they were considered oversized. All are handwind, and cases are neither water nor dust proof; as such, the dials are champlevé enameled for sake of longevity to the elements.
I’ve built most of the Sport Rolex models from the 60’s/70’s, and while some can be a challenge to get the right parts, they are pretty easy and elementary compared to Patek builds. Parts rarely come up for Pateks of this era, and when they do, they’re usually priced appropriately. I’ve managed to build three examples; I have parts to start another 2 or 3 more, but came to the decision that a lot of these parts may be more valuable to me for spares.
This chronograph build is a reference 130, and has a genuine dial, genuine hands, genuine (unsigned and period correct) crown and a Valjoux 23, which is the ebauche that the caliber 13-130 was based on. No movement shot, as the V23 is not much to look at. I keep thinking about doing the V23 to 13-130 conversion, but have not gotten around to it.
The 570 is a classic time only watch, that is understated and yet elegant all at once. This build has a genuine dial, genuine hands, genuine crown (unsigned and period correct) and caliber 27SC (movement serial has been obfuscated).
This 570 build has a genuine dial, genuine hands, genuine crown (unsigned and period correct) and caliber 12-120 (movement serial has been obfuscated).
And some period correct steel buckles on modern Patek (Camille Fournet) straps…
These builds have definitely been a labor of love; think I started them in 2011, and have been slowly working on them since, updating things as I find them
The dials have been some of the most difficult items to source... I don't think I've seen a dial in as clean of condition for my ref 130 as the one I have fitted. I've seen a lot of refinished and completely new fabricated examples, but there's something about an original example that has lived life for 70+ years that can't be duplicated.
Thanks for looking!
//ubi