Patek Philippe’s reference 130 is most definitely one of the firm’s most known and appreciated vintage chronograph models. First released in 1934, the watch was in production until 1964 with its case deriving from the Bauhaus-designed reference 96. The model was produced in yellow and pink gold, as well as in stainless steel with a number of dial variations, and very rarely in white gold. Black dial variations of the model are considered one of the pinnacles of vintage Patek Philippe collecting. Not only the aesthetics of the watch is dramatically altered, making it very masculine and very much in tune with today’s fashion. Black dials variation are furthermore extremely scarce: less than 30 examples are known so far, over a production of about 1’500 pieces. That is about 2% of the total.

The present piece’s black dial surface, surprisingly as this might sound, is only part of the appeal of this incredible object. It in fact sports an extremely alluring sector dial design, executed in gilt. The inner sector bears the hour markers (with 12 and 6 applied Arabic, the rest printed baton), followed by minute divisions, then the typical railway Arabic 5-second combined with baton fifth-of-a-second divisions, and finally the outer sector bears the tachymeter scale with base 1000. All of this, topped by a long signature. While examples of ref. 130 with black dial are rare, black sector dials are unicorns. Exact classification is difficult, but it appears that less than 5, maybe as few as only 2 other examples of sector black dial 130 are publicly known. An incredibly attractive and uncommon variation of one of the most beloved vintage Patek Philippe chronograph models, the watch is even accompanied by a Gay Frères woven bracelet which elevates enormously its aesthetic appeal while at the same time being an extremely sought-after collectible in its own.