Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN Hong Kong Monday, November 26, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1967
    Reference No: 503
    Movement No: 874'021
    Case No: 1’551, with inscribed presentation inscription
    Material: Gilt brass
    Calibre: Solar powered, cal. 17’, 29 jewels
    Dimensions: 200 x 140 x 90mm
    Signed: Dial signed by maker and retailer, case and movement numbered
    Accessories: With original Patek Philippe “Clock Wound by Light” instruction pamphlet and original setting instruction card, original Tiffany & Co. letter to the owner dated July 21, 1972, and photocopy of Patek Philippe “Photoelectric and electronic clocks for home and office”. Further delivered with Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with perpetual calendar in 1967 and its subsequent sale on March 19th, 1968.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe’s reference 503 is a lovely example of 1960s innovation and style. The large rectangular case has a solid architectural feel with square pilasters at the corners, and the state of the market solar panel caliber 17” 250 EQ was at the time a marvel of modern technology. The large solar panel on the top of the case allowed for the transformation of luminous energy in to electrical energy. A micro-accumulator stored the electrical energy, allowing for the clock to run even in the dark, and when fully charged the accumulator carried enough energy to power the clock for one year. It took Patek Philippe seven years to fully realize this extraordinary technology, and they were one of the first firms to fully make use of light energy.

    The present clock is a presentation piece to Austin Stanley Moscowitz, dedicated on January 30, 1969, and accompanied by a Tiffany & Co. letter dated July 21, 1972, offering a lifetime guarantee on the clock. In excellent overall condition, the clock has been well maintained over its fifty-year history, and remarkably accompanied by the original Patek Philippe pamphlet and instruction card issued with the clock. This lovely original condition makes it a rare opportunity for a collector to own such an innovative timepiece.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.

    Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.

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970

Ref. 503
An attractive and unusual gilt brass solar powered perpetual calendar presentation table clock with “straight line” display, retailed by Tiffany & Co.

1967
200 x 140 x 90mm
Dial signed by maker and retailer, case and movement numbered

Estimate
HK$160,000 - 240,000 
€17,700-26,500
$20,500-30,800

Sold for HK$212,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN

Hong Kong Auction 27 November 2018