Fine and rare stainless steel Swiss keyless dress watch Circa 1937

Fine and rare stainless steel (Staybrite) keyless watch by Patek Philippe & Cie
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A fine and rare, stainless steel (Staybrite), keyless dress watch. Made by Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève in 1937. Sold for the first time on March 25, 1938.
Three-body case, brushed, case back inside engraved: W.F. Calahan. Best wishes June 14, 1939. From Paul Rasmussen.
Matte white dial with applied steel Breguet numerals, outer minute division, subsidiary seconds dial. Steel leaflike hands.
Rhodium plated movement with Geneva Striping decoration, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring and swan neck micrometer regulator.
Dial, case and movement signed.
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Diameter: 49 mm
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Signed: Patek Philippe & Cie Genève
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Accompanied by the extract from the Archives.

A swan neck is a part used to regulate the pace by adjusting the length of the spring. The shorter length of the spring, the faster the harmonic motion of the balance wheel, thus speeding up the pace. The longer length of the spring makes the balance wheel’s motion slower, thus slowing down the pace.

Widely used in 19^th century pocket watches, the vast majority of modern watches do not have a swan neck. It is not a pre-requisite to regulate pace, instead, it is human’s appreciation for the beauty of tangible jewelry products.

At the present time, the swan neck is symbolic of German-made timepieces, which prefer 3/4 silver plate polished in Geneva stripes, decorated by red jewels and gold chatons. Closely resembling a swan’s neck, a swan neck is more of artistry than practicality.