A “gold watch” is an archetypal reward for years of meritorious service to a company. But how cool would it be if your company contracted with Patek Philippe to build a special set of 20 Calatrava watches? That’s exactly what General Motors Overseas Operations did in 1954, and these watches are a unique collectible today!
Considering the Ref. 1578GM
Patek Philippe was already a remarkable brand in the 1950’s. Even as the Swiss watch industry was expanding after World War II, no one could touch the classic elegance and sophistication of a Patek Philippe Calatrava. The watch seems familiar today but that’s because it was so loved for the last half-century!
In 1954, General Motors Overseas Operations (“GMOO”) decided to celebrate the success of 20 top-performing executives by commissioning a special run of the popular Patek Philippe 1578 Calatrava. These watches were made of 18-karat gold and featured a unique black dial with gold markers – Arabic numerals for 3, 9, and 12 and pyramids at the other positions. Powered by the hand-wound Calibre 12-400, these 1578’s remain distinctive and desirable. Patek assigned a special model number, 1578GM, just to this set of 20 watches.
I spotted one while perusing Auctionata’s March 10, 2015 auction catalog. Surprised by the striking black dial and $5,000 initial bid, I decided to do some research. I found a few of these that have been sold over the years, most for more than twice that price. This one seems to be in average condition with an incorrect strap. I imagine it will sell for much more than their estimate! These seem to have been saved for special occasions or produced for a few years, since the one listed here was apparently engraved 8 years after the commission.
This same watch is listed to have sold for $15,000 by “iCollector” on November 15, 2004. It was part of a set of seized assets, so it seems to have had a rather colorful history. It was also shown by Hodinkee as part of their coverage of the 2015 Original Miami Beach Antique Show but presumably did not sell.
Ref. 1578GM Registry
Since there does not seem to be a registry for this special model, I decided to create one here. For posterity, here are the examples I found in my Internet search, along with others from the comments section of this blog.
Note that I have uncovered at least 22 examples, and there could be even more. Not all are identical to the McAuliffe example pictured here. In fact they vary quite a lot in terms of the engraving style and even the case and dial material. One even has a white dial, which is possibly a replacement.
It is also possible that some of these came from a later run. Christies says that Patek Philippe paperwork shows the Smith and Helling examples sold in 1962, for example. This would explain the varying engraving quality as well. It is also possible that some are not completely authentic or are otherwise modified. Some have un-signed crowns, one has a white dial, and two appear to be in rose gold.
Not all are marked identically inside either: Most say “REF1578GM” but some have just “REF1578” or “1578GM” or even “1578MG”!
Here are all the Patek Philippe Ref. 1578GM watches I could find.
- G.K. Ahlers, 1920-1950 “REF1578” 655XXX (Only Vintage)
- L.W.F. Bailey, 1935-1960 Overseas Operations 646XX (William Farmer/eBay – rose gold and different engraving with no “GM” inside the caseback)
- W.J. Balmain, 1924-1954 (eBay)
- S.W. Brooks, 1930-1955 Un-Signed Crown (TravisB/Rolex Forums and Harold Freeman Jewelers)
- P.W. Cofelin, 1933-1959 Un-Signed Crown (Miami Beach/1stDibs)
- E.J. Duggan, GMOO 1922-1947 (Stephen Duggan)
- J. A. Eberth, 1927 – 1952 (Antiquorum, December 9, 2009)
- F. C. Forsberg, GMOO 1936-1961 (Matthew Bain)
- M.J. Gaffney, GMOO 1929-1954 “REF1578GM” (Robert Maron)
- W.R. Hamer, GMOO 1927-1960 White Dial (Lauritz)
- C.H. Helling, GMC-GMOO 1939-1965 2625803 (Christies, December 6, 2018, $17,500)
- J. E. Linebaugh, 1923-1956 (Watchuseek, January 14, 2009, $4,000)
- A.E. Mayer, GMOO 1936-1961 695857 (Alessandro Ciani)
- W. D. McAuliffe, GMC-GMOO 1937-1962 (Auctionata, 2015)
- J.J. McLaughlin, GMC-GMOO 1936-1961 (Royal Jewelers)
- R.A. Mehrtens, 1928-1953 (Chrono 24)
- E.C. Nurenberg, 1929-1954 (Alan Jeffrey Bean)
- T. J. Quinn, GMC-GMOO 1935-1960 (Feel Good Watches, offered at $18,750)
- K.P. Smith, GMC-GMOO 1934-1964 2625784 (Christies, June 21, 2017, $27,500)
- G. L. Terpenning, GMC-GMOO 1936-1961 “REF1578GM” 2813819 (Robert Maron)
- P.L. Walsh, G.M.O.O. 1925-1950 Rose Gold, Un-Signed Crown (OnBeHalf)
- H.O. Watts, 1936-1961 (David Burns)
- Unknown “1578MG” 685XX2 Un-Signed Crown (Matthew Bain)
- No engraving REF1578GM 2625771 (South Beach Art Deco/eBay)
- Unknown (Christies, December 14, 2012, $13,750)
- Unknown (Christies, June 13, 2012, $10,000)
- Unknown (Christies, May 15, 2006)
- Unknown (Sotheby’s, May 17, 2005)
Errata
Not all black-dial 1578s are part of this series:
- Christies did sell a different black-dial 1578 on June 10, 2009. It had rectangular markers and no arabic numerals. Perhaps it was a replacement dial, or maybe it was a unique model.
- Sotheby’s also sold one on June 8, 2006, with different markers.
- Madison Time Watches had one listed on Chrono24 in 2018 with no engraving on the back of the case.
- Watchbox.be had a black-dial “REF1578” listed on Chrono24 in 2018 with rectangular markers but no photo of the caseback.
Year
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Movement
Hi – I just bought one of the GM Patek watches. Mine is under the name of H.O. Watts 1936 to 1961. I think its a fascinating piece. Paid more than $5,000. If there is any way to participate in a registry – I would love to. I just filed it with Patek’s archives in hopes of getting more information. Thanks for doing this.
i have my grand fathers swiss gold watch, just wand it up a tad and off it went,
dated on back 1954 with 3 letters
Can any body enlighten me ,
regards simon
This gorgeous piece has always been a holy grail watch for me. When American industry was at its strongest, great employers like GM knew how to take care of long term employees the right way.
The black dial on the Reference 1578, with gold leaf hands, and a sub dial. was a winner. It is totally understated and elegant. Worn with a black leather strap, the combination is unbeatable. A refreshing alternative to most white dial watches or the era.
It is fairly thin and a bit smaller in circumference than modern dress watches.and fits nicely on any wrist, large or small.
How do we know that only 20 of these were made, where does that number come from?
The only differences I can see is in the engraving, which leads me to believe, as you say, that they were ordered all at once, and then engraved individually year by year.
What I heard was that these watches were only made and given to the European (Overseas) employees, and when the Detroit executives found out about it, it caused such a minor uproar, that the practice was quickly discontinued.
How do we know that only 20 of these were made, where does that number come from?
The only differences I can see is in the engraving, which leads me to believe, as you say, that they were ordered all at once, and then engraved individually year by year.
In addition to your list, there also exists one for M.J. Gaffney 1929-1954 (Robert Maron),
and one for R.A. Mehrtens 1928-1953 (Chrono 24).
What I heard was that these watches were only made and given to the European (Overseas) employees, and when the Detroit executives found out about it, it caused such a minor uproar, that the practice was quickly discontinued.
Just spotted another one for S.W. Brooks 1930-1955 (Harold Freeman Jewelers)
And another for W.J. Balmain 1924-1954 (eBay).
You mentioned arabic numbers at 3, 6, and 12. That is actually a 9.
# Patek Philippe 1578GM watch
I believe I own a Patek Philippe 1578GM, black dial, watch with black lizard band and original gold buckle stamped on the underside “0.75 PPCo Depose Swiss”, given to me by my grandfather am very long time ago.
The engraving on the back is much finer than the examples I have found on the net. The examples I found had rather large, sort of crude letters. My watch is engraved with very fine lettering “General Motors” across the top (12 position), the center of the back is engraved 3 lines “To, L. W. F. Bailey, 1935 – 1960, the bottom (6 position) is engraved “Overseas Operations”.
Also my watch appears to be rose gold. I’m not an expert in gold but definitely is “redder” than all the examples of 1578GM watches on the net and more like other Patek Philippe watches described as “rose gold”.
Finally, my watch has a second dial, white or pearl, with fine, crossed 90 degree lines on the second hand face. Gold lines “I” for the hour indicators, double mark for the 12 position “II” on the back of the white dial there appears to be a part number “93 266”. The white dial is in a small steel round box wrapped in tissue.
I’m sorry this is some long but I am thinking of selling it and am trying to get am better understanding of exactly what I have. About 26 years ago I took it to a watchmaker here in Anchorage, “The European Watchmaker”, to be cleaned, he was so glad to be able to work on a watch of this quality he only charged half price. He explained that there were not many time pieces like mine in Anchorage then. At the time he estimated it to been worth $10,000.00+ He has been retired for years. The watch sat in my safety deposit box till this winter.
I restored my Gustaf Becker 400 day clock, with excellent results, but I don’t think I want to open a watch that might been worth $20,000.00. I don’t care how careful I would be. I am looking for a new watchmaker that has experience with valuable watches to get the movement identifier etc.
Thank you for your time
Sounds like a very nice watch, but not a 1578GM. The engraving on those, especially when viewed through a loupe, is exquisite if the GM piece is still in original condition. Many have been roughed up and polished, and some over polished, over the years (making the few in really good condition even more rare and valuable). Either way, if yours is a family piece, keep it. It will only go up in value, likely in both sentimental and monetary terms.
I have one of the watches. It belonged to my grandfather, E. J. Duggan, GMOO 1922-1947.
I own a GMOO 1578. It is inscribed to E.C. Nurenberg 1929-1954. I have just received it back following a complete service which took 1 year from Patek.
I believe the senior GM officer among them was Philip Wilson Copelin, PW Copelin, misspelled on the list above. He was GM’s top man in France and later in the UK before returning to New York. He was inducted into the French Legion of Honour for his efforts while at GM in France during WWII, and while in London in the late 1950s was visited by Vice President Richard Nixon along with the chairman of Lloyds Bank, Lord Oliver Franks, who’d served as the British Ambassador to the US. His piece is the one marked 1578MG inside, the engraver perhaps thinking of the company name in French (moteurs generale). These pieces are wildly under appreciated and under valued.
Thank you for the reply Philip. That is some interesting history. Do you have one of these watches? What other watches do you collect? And, where are you located in this world?
Very Interesting Article… I have a GM Patek Described in the article as well. on the back is inscribed G M O O on top of back in the middle is my late Uncles name – E.T. Mix, Jr. —> on the bottom is the date range 1935 – 1960. I love the watch and would like to place it in a registry
I have a back faced watch with baton markers and hands, no numerals. the watch is marked;
“G. M. C.-G. M. O.O.
A. H. Hillcoat
1920-1950”
Chet