Swiss stainless steel lever chronograph with register Circa 1938

Stainless steel chronograph by Patek Philippe
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An extremely fine, rare and small Swiss stainless steel keyless lever chronograph pocket watch with 30 minute register, circa 1938. Sold on December 21, 1938. Rhodium plated movement, gold wheel train, 23 jewels, 8 adjustments, lever escapement, mono-metallic compensation balance with gold temperature screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring. Snap back cuvette. Two-tone silver dial with black painted baton numerals, inner track for minute and fifths of a second divisions, outer tachometer scale, subsidiary dial for the seconds and 30 minute register and original blued steel spade hands. Polished, the back with foliate engraved monogram, buttons at 11 and 1 for the chronograph functions. Dial, case, cuvette and movement signed, case and movement numbered. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.
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Diameter: 39 mm
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Signed: Patek, Philippe & Co Genève
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With the on going development of planes, cars and boats, and the growing need for constantly keeping better time in the 1930’s, it seemed logical that watch manufacturers would create timing devices that would better record time in a society already fascinated with increased speed and precision. These very rare small chronographs cased in steel were designed for outdoor use (hence the use of that sturdy material) but were also meant to be compact for ease of transportation. It is also interesting to note that this watch uses the same caliber as all early Patek chronographs but also features the extremely attractive two-tone sector dial found on references 130 and 530 among others.