PATEK PHILIPPE
BETA 22, REF. 3603
CIRCA: 1974
CASE MATERIAL: 18K gold
SIZE: 33 mm. width, 38.5 mm. length
STRAP MATERIAL: Black leather with 18K gold Patek Philippe buckle
DIAL: Blue, brushed
MOVEMENT: Electromechanical
FUNCTIONS: Time, sweep centre seconds, date
CALIBER: B.22
ACCESSORIES: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1974 with blue cobalt dial and its subsequent sale on 11 July 1974

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Lot Essay

The calibre Beta 22 is an evolution of the Beta 21, a joint effort of the most important watchmaking brands of the time toward the goal – at the time groundbreaking – of a portable electrical timekeeper. An idea of the importance of this movement and of the research and development efforts invested in it is given by the fact that at the time of its release watches powered by this calibre were much more expensive of their mechanical counterparts.

Reference 3603 was in production from 1974 to 1982, and it was available with a number of dial finishes – all starting from a massive 15K gold dial plate – and either on leather strap or one of two different bracelet models. So far, less than 20 pieces in yellow gold with leather strap have been seen on the public market.