Patek Philippe has long been known for their technical innovation and workmanship and it is often through their complicated timepieces that aficionados can truly appreciate the mastery of their watches. One of the first known examples was a quarter repeating hunter case watch, with the Scherbatoff and Zuboff family coat of arms, made in 1839. These complicated timepieces were special orders made for wealthy families and often enhanced with family coat of arms or enamel portraiture. Research indicates that over time production for minute repeating chronograph watches total approximately 600 pieces, while production for the minute repeating split-seconds chronograph totaled close to 1000 examples, indicating the firm’s specialty in these fine complications.

Patek Philippe patented their split-seconds mechanism in 1902 (patent 27052) and used the calibers 16’’’, 17/18’’’ and 19’’’. The watches came in several dial combinations with the rare hunter case models with and without registers, open face pocket watches with and without registers. Those open face watches with registers typically featured 30 minute and subsidiary seconds dials most often in a vertical position. Timepieces with the combination of 60 minute and 12-hour register are exceedingly rare. The split-seconds mechanism with register was added to the basic Patek Philippe minute repeating movement, however it was more complicated and expensive when using the 12-hour register.

The present watch is one of eight known examples of minute repeating split-seconds chronograph watches featuring the hour and minute registers, and this watch, movement number 124’685 is the only known example to be fully signed by the maker with the case, cuvette, dial and movement signed Patek Philippe and Cie. Research indicates almost half of Patek Philippe’s production of minute repeating split-seconds chronographs were sold the United States, and of the eight known examples with this rare register combination six display case and dial signed by the American retailer Tiffany & Co. with one dial signed by the retailer Spaulding.

In exceptional overall condition, the watch from 1903 and sold in 1927 is a rare treasure. The case hallmarks remain crisp in the bow and front of pendant, and while there is minor shallow wear the watch retains all of its originality. The dial is well preserved and aged with no visible hairlines or cracks. This possibly unique timepiece would have been a special order and it is a watch that will truly impress the connoisseur who seeks rare complicated timepieces.