Case size: 35 mm
Material: steel
Movement: manual, caliber 12-120
Year: circa 1943
Crystal: plastic crystal
Bracelet: leather strap
Reference number: 565
Serial number: 924'321
Case number: 630'346
The dial is photographed dismounted from the case and the pictures are available upon request. Pending "Extract from the Archives".
The case remains sharp with well-preserved edges. The dial shows some marks and signs of ageing. Light traces of wear are visible throughout, consistent with age. Overall in good vintage condition.
Compare an identical reference with a number away from both the movement and the case sold at Sotheby's Important Watches Part 1, Lot 14, May 10, 2022.
A simple function check indicated the movement runs; accuracy, power reserve and long-term performance have not been tested and servicing may be required at the buyer’s expense. Water resistance cannot be guaranteed and should be checked by a qualified watchmaker before any exposure to water. No right of withdrawal applies to live auction purchases.
Provenance
Consigned by the family to the previous owner who was a watchmaker.
Olle Kronke (†) was a watchmaker with a rare combination of technical skill, curiosity, and a deep love for craftsmanship.
As an active member of the association Det Gamla Urens Vänner (“Friends of Old Clocks”), Olle generously shared his experience and profound knowledge of antique timepieces. He had a special sensitivity for the mechanical ingenuity behind each movement. His craftsmanship lives on in the many clocks he restored – among them the town hall clock in Sigtuna and several other historical tower clocks throughout Uppland.
Alongside his watchmaking, Olle worked as a research engineer at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, where his technical mind and precision also came to great use. It was during this time, in the mid-20th century, when Seiko began establishing itself in Europe and Sweden, that Olle bought his first Seiko wristwatch. A colleague at KTH became particularly fond of Olle’s watch, and the two made a friendly exchange – the Seiko for the colleague’s older Patek Philippe from the 1940s.
Thus, this remarkable Patek Philippe became part of Olle Kronke’s collection – a timepiece that, much like its owner, carries a rich history, genuine craftsmanship, and a timeless soul.
More information
Introduced around 1938, the Patek Philippe reference 565 is widely regarded as one of the most significant time-only wristwatches of the pre-war era. It was among the first Patek Philippe models to feature a screw-down caseback, marking an important step towards water resistance and durability — qualities seldom associated with the brand’s refined dress watches of the time.
Crafted in stainless steel, the reference 565 represented a bold departure from the precious metals typically used by Patek Philippe. Its robust 35 mm case with thick, downturned lugs gave it a modern, utilitarian presence, while the screw-back construction protected the manual-winding caliber 12-120, one of the manufacture’s finest hand-finished movements.
The present example features a sector dial, one of the most celebrated and visually balanced designs of the 1930s. The precise division of the dial into concentric rings and crosshair segments exemplifies the geometric minimalism of the Art Deco period, offering both technical clarity and aesthetic harmony. The dial bears the desirable “long signature”, reading “PATEK PHILIPPE & Co.” — a detail found on earlier examples. Around 1949, the firm transitioned to the shorter “PATEK PHILIPPE” signature, making dials such as this one particularly appealing to collectors.
Beyond its design, the ref. 565 holds historical importance as a precursor to Patek Philippe’s later “sportier” Calatrava models, such as the references 2508 and 570. Some period examples were even supplied to military officers during the Second World War — a testament to the model’s practical and resilient construction.
Today, the stainless steel ref. 565 with sector dial stands as a cornerstone of vintage Patek Philippe collecting. It bridges the gap between the brand’s early classical elegance and its later pursuit of technical innovation, embodying a rare combination of functionality, design purity, and historical significance.
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