Patek Philippe Split-Seconds Chronograph

About this reference

Patek Philippe produced the Reference 1436 split-seconds chronograph from 1938 until 1971. While most examples were cased in yellow or pink gold, the stainless steel variant is among the rarest configurations in vintage watch collecting. The reference is powered by the manual-wind Caliber 13-130 CCR, a movement based on a Valjoux ebauche modified by Victorin Piguet. Collectors prioritize the steel 1436 due to its extreme scarcity; only a handful of steel examples are confirmed to exist. These models typically feature 33mm cases and silvered dials with applied Breguet numerals or long indices. On the secondary market, steel examples command significant premiums over gold counterparts, often reaching the mid-seven-figure range. A notable auction result occurred in 2015 when a stainless steel Reference 1436, originally sold through the retailer Tiffany & Co., realized over $3.3 million at Phillips in Geneva.