Today's offering showcases this classic and scarce ref. 1517 Patek Philippe mens dress watch with very desirable semi-sector dial.

Its beautifully balanced 18K gold case, unusually expressive lugs, and especially attractive semi-sector dial give it a character that is at once restrained and unmistakably vintage Patek Philippe.

The reference itself is genuinely rare. The 1517 was produced for only seven years, with just 343 examples made in total. It arrived only about a decade after the legendary reference 96, at a time when Patek Philippe was refining the clean round-case design that collectors now associate with the Calatrava.

The Calatrava name was applied retrospectively to watches such as these; the design language came first, and the family name followed decades later.

Rather than a plain silver dress-watch face, its semi-sector composition that gives the watch unusual visual depth. A fine outer minute track and long black hour divisions create the disciplined geometry associated with classic sector dials, while applied gold Roman numerals at 3, 9, and 12 and the subsidiary seconds register at 6 preserve the warmth and elegance of a high-grade Patek dress watch.

It is a sophisticated middle ground: more visually interesting than a standard Calatrava dial, but still exceptionally clean and formal.

At roughly 32mm across, the case is classically proportioned for the period, but the long, sculpted lugs stretch the design outward and give it more presence on the wrist than the diameter alone would suggest.

Powering the watch is Patek Philippe's manual-winding calibre 12-120, an 18-jewel movement representative of the firm's superb mid-century hand-wound watchmaking. It is the sort of movement that explains why apparently simple Patek Philippe watches from this era have long been prized by serious collectors.

It is adjusted to five positions as well as heat, cold, and isochronism.

It has all of its original parts down to the hands and winding crown.

Its elegant case retains very crisp hallmarks by the crown and on the left side. It presents as better than near mint with only light signs of previous polishing.

Its dial is bright and clean, previously well-restored in vintage times. Underneath it still clearly retains its original raised enamel printing throughout. 

One of our Master Watchmakers has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $695 value).

It is running strong and true, keeping very accurate time.

For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a brand new Teju strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year international warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate attesting to its performance.

Please inquire if you would like us to obtain an Extract from the Patek Philippe archives for you. Patek charges 500CHF to provide one.

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 extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
Country of origin: Switzerland
Year built: c. late 1940's
Serial no.: 928,624
Model: Ref. 1517
Functions: Hours, Minutes
Designed for: Men
Case material: 18K gold
Case markings (inside): Patek Phillipe & Co., Geneve, Swiss, .750, 420,288
Case condition: Presents as better than near mint with only light signs of previous polishing. It retains very crisp hallmarks by the crown and on the left side
Dial: Silver, semi-sector style with applied gold Roman numerals at 3, 9, and 12, black radial hour divisions and outer minute track, subsidiary seconds, signed Patek Philippe Genève. Bright and clean, a couple of very light indentions visible at certain angles, previously well-restored in vintage times. Underneath its still clearly retains its original raised enamel printing throughout. 
Dimensions: 32.5mm wide (excluding crown), 41mm long lug tip-to-tip 
Hands: Original, gold "batons"
Movement type: Extremely high grade Cal. 10-120, manually wound, rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, beryllium bronze escape wheel, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, micrometer regulator
Movement markings: Patek Philippe & Co., Geneve, Swiss, Eighteen (18) Jewels, 928,624
Jewels: 18 rubies
Band: Teju, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with unsigned gold tone buckle
Crystal: Acrylic, excellent condition
Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $695 value).
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. 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 extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide