We are proud to offer the very collectable and striking Patek Philippe mens ref. 1450 watch showcased in today's offering, the company's legendary "Top Hat" model.

Popularized by Ginger Roger and Fred Astaire in their award-winning musical of the same name, the phrase came to stand for the glittering elegance associated with 1930's and 40's American high society. Patek Philippe embraced this idea by offering an exclusive Top Hat model as part their other gentlemen's wristwatch selections.

With its understated silver face and inconic "Top Hat" case, it showcases a classic and ultra-elegant Patek style.

It is unusually thick and heavy for a watch of this size.

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 in addition to their inconic "Top Hat" such as the "Banana" (ref. 2442), the "Eiffel Tower " (ref. 2441), and the "Tegolino" (as of this writing we also have a Tegolino currently for sale).

Our example has a desirable double-signed dial, co-signed for Gubelin, the prestigious Swiss retailer, one of Europe's premier jewelers.

It has fully Patek parts down to all hands and the winding crown. Its case is in excellent condition. Its dial has been restored by the leading dial expert in North America. Its presents beautifully on the wrist.

One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new crocodile strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Accompanying it is an Extract from the Patek Philippe archives attesting to its originality and authenticity.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function.

• Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Serial no.: 971,099
• Year built: 1948, sold May 30th, 1949
• Model: Ref. 1450
• Functions: Hours, Minutes and Sub Seconds
• Designed for: Men
• Case material: 18K gold
• Case markings (inside): Patek Philippe & Co, Geneve, Swiss, 18K, 1450, 654,244
• Case condition: Excellent condition with light wear and a bit of wear where the case is opened
• Dimensions: 25mm wide at its widest point by 38mm long lug tip-to-tip
• Dial: Silver with gold baton and half-spherical applied indexes, signed Patek Philippe and Gubelin, restored by the leading dial restorer in the North America
• 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: Crocodile, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with unsigned gold tone buckle. We also stock lizard and a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
• Width between lugs: 18mm
• Serviced: One of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
• 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 experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
• Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details.
• Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Extract from the Patek Philippe archives attesting to its originality and authenticity
• 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