Patek Philippe ref. 439 Double Signed Astrua Torino Black Dial in 18k Rose Gold
The Inside Story
The deeper you get into this hobby, the more you begin to appreciate the little details. This rare Art Deco “Tank”-style watch, reference 439, crafted in 18k rose gold and sized at a charming 25 x 33 mm, features a flat snap-back case and short lugs—offering a surprising wrist presence despite its understated proportions.
The dial is exceptionally rare in a black execution, elegantly fitted with sword hands and bearing the even rarer double signature of “Astrua Torino”—a true icing on the cake.
The origins of Astrua trace back to the Kingdom of Sardinia, just a year before Turin was named the capital of a newly unified Italy.
In this rich historical context, Vincenzo Astrua established an artisan workshop on Via Barbaroux, where pocket watches, table clocks, and salon pendulums were meticulously crafted. At the time, Italy was still a patchwork of independent states, and it was the expertise of individual watchmakers that truly set pieces apart—each component hand-assembled, every dial proudly signed: a lasting mark of quality and prestige.
Astrua would later become an official retailer for Patek Philippe, as well as other prestigious brands like Rolex.
A double signature always adds an extra layer of distinction. These markings were only permitted by long-standing collaborators—Tiffany & Co. in New York or Beyer in Switzerland come to mind.
As we like to say:
“The retailer commands a subtle reverence among connoisseurs, a sentiment that extends to the timepieces carrying its name. These watches cater to individuals who prefer to express exclusivity with quiet sophistication, rather than those who seek to broadcast it boldly.”
This fine, rare, and captivating Patek is fitted with a beautiful Bulang & Sons strap and has been fully serviced by our watchmaker.
We invite you to take a closer look—this watch speaks to us, and we hope it does to you as well. Get in touch!
Specifications:
- Patek Philippe square “Tank-style” rare Reference 439
- 25 x 33 mm 18k rose gold case with snap back, made by “Wenger”
- Black dial, sword hands, double signed “Astrua Torino”
- Movement serial 195xx / Case serial 617xxx dating to the end of the 1920s
- Patek Philippe hand-wound movement cal. 9
- Bulang & Sons leather strap
- Fully serviced by our watchmaker
- One-year mechanical warranty
Service & Warranty
Why Buy From Us?
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Service & Warranty
Our Service
Each vintage timepiece is individually selected and carefully inspected by our team of experts. After we buy a watch it is mechanically inspected and fully checked by our watchmaker. If necessary, the movement will be fully serviced and tested to ensure it is running to our exacting standards.
We will always describe the watch as fully as we can in our sales texts. Our zoomable images are of the highest possible quality and form an important part of each watch’s description. We will never hide or cover up any element of any watch we sell.
Key to our unparalleled service is Fedex Priority shipping, fully insured. Once you have received your watch, we encourage you to inspect it thoroughly. If you are not 100% satisfied, please let us know. We offer a 14 days return policy. Simply return the watch to get a full refund of the original purchase price.
Our Warranty
We offer a one-year warranty on the mechanical function of the watch, starting from the day of purchase. We do not guarantee the waterproof nature of any (vintage) watch, unless expressly made in writing. Therefore, our warranty will not cover any damage done to the case and/or movement by water or moisture entering the watch. Our warranty does not apply to accidental damage or mishandling of your watch and does not extend to the bracelet, case parts (including pushers, winding stem, crown and bezel), watch glass, dial and hands.
Why Buy From Us?
We Love Watches
We are passionate about vintage watches and we love talking about them! That is why we don't sell our watches with a simple "Add to cart" button, but instead try to emulate a truly boutique experience online. Helping you find your perfect vintage watch is our Watch Department’s raison d’etre. Whatever you would like to ask, please do. Building our community of watch lovers is central to our mission at Bulang and Sons.
We Know Watches
At Bulang and Sons we have sold thousands of watches over the years. We are a small team of experienced collectors and connoisseurs who are all part of an extensive global network of buyers and sellers. We have a great reputation for offering only the highest quality watches. We have one simply rule: we only buy and sell watches we want to own ourselves. And yes, we are still collectors too.
We Guarantee Watches
As collectors, we know how intense the search for a specific vintage watch can be. Once you find it at Bulang and Sons, we want to make things easy, safe and fast for you. Therefore, we offer the most comprehensive return policy and warranty; you will not find a safer place on the internet to buy a vintage watch. You can relax and enjoy your deal with Bulang and Sons.