Akshay Bysani’s 1945 Patek Philippe | Photo Credit: Special arrangement Akshay Bysani is a Bengaluru-based collector and luxury marketer. Among his many passions is his watch collection, which boasts an extensive range of both modern and vintage timepieces.
He says he inherited this love for watches from his grandfather and his father. The one watch he treasures the most is a Patek Philippe timepiece manufactured in 1945 in Switzerland.Akshay says, “I like things that are exclusive, I started off with a couple of Rolexes and moved to vintage watches.
I also look at the brand and what it stands for.”Watches are special to Akshay because of their history, heritage and the legacy they carry. “I am not interested in something that can be bought off the shelf, I want something that is sought after or has a deep-rooted history.”He mentions that his vintage Patek Philippe Art Deco hooded lugs reflect the core value of the brand. “The 1960s and ‘70s, saw designs and innovation reach spectacular heights. Everything at that time was produced in limited numbers.” Akshay Bysani, Bengaluru-based collector and luxury marketer . “I was interested in watches from my childhood.
When I was in school, I had a Casio F-91W, which is now considered a collectible. I moved on to Omega during high school, and while at college and the early part of my career, I had Rolexes.
Right now, it is my family’s Patek Philippe that I wear daily.”Family heirloomsHis grandfather and father were interested in gold watches. “They had gold Rados, Titans, Rolexes. That is where this collection started.
I still have the solid gold Rolex nicknamed the President, a piece worn by leaders across the world at the time,” says Akshay.“This particular 1945 Patek Philippe dates two or three generations before me.” To him, this watch holds a close connection with his ancestors and family , and he wishes to hand it down to his son as a family heirloom in the future. Akshay Bysani’s 1945 Patek Philippe The Patek Philippe Art Deco hooded lugs, ref.
516 was originally sold in June 1945. Manufactured with a 18K yellow gold, rectangular case and manual winding calibre 9’’’-90, it is a classic timepiece from the brand. “I have read that around 100 pieces of this model were produced and less than 10 pieces exist today..”He says, “ The watch boasts understated looks and at the same time, is highly complex and elegant.
It has a gold casing, a golden buckle and strap, and has been working for the past 80 years.”Akshay loves the brand’s tagline, ‘You never actually own a Patek Philippe, you merely look after it for the next generation’, and he intends to do just that. Published - November 02, 2026 02:20 pm IST