Property of a Prestigious Family Collection
985
Patek Philippe
Ref. 845
A very rare and well-preserved yellow gold minute repeating perpetual calendar open-faced keyless pocket watch with “modern” style case, moon phases and dauphine hands
- Estimate
- HK$720,000 - 1,440,000€85,600 - 171,000$92,300 - 185,000
HK$914,400
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- Movement 1925, cased circa 1960s
- Reference No
- 845
- Movement No
- 198’011
- Case No
- 314’587
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, 17’’’, 31 jewels
- Dimensions
- 50mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial and movement signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Patek Philippe fitted presentation box. Delivered with the Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1925 and its subsequent date of sale on 1st December 1970.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe has long been regarded as a premier watchmaker in the realm of Grand Complications, continually astonishing horology lovers with its incredible inventions and reliable timepieces.
A splendid evolution of the Maison’s traditional horological lineage, the present “Moderne” reference 845 features an open-faced design with clean, elegant lines and a stepped case, showcasing the sophisticated minute repeater alongside the iconic perpetual calendar. Measuring a substantial 50mm in diameter, the three-part case is fitted with a snapped caseback, crafted by master Geneva casemaker Antoine Gerlach (Genevan Key number 4), who was also responsible for creating other notable Grand Complication pocket watches and wristwatches. Notably the movements within the known examples of the ref. 845 are powered by Victorin Piguet & Cie ébauche from circa 1930s and later cased in 1964 and onwards in yellow or white gold.
Only three yellow gold examples are known publicly and are furthermore fitted with an English calendar dial.
Case no. Movement No. Production Remarks
314'587 198'011 Movement production in 1925 and completed in circa 1960s. (The present example)
314'588 198'441 Movement production began in 1931 and completed in 1967. Part of the Patek Philippe Museum Collection
314'589 198'442 Movement production began in 1931 and completed in 1967. Sold at auction in 2006
With all three examples with consecutive case numbers, it is highly possible that the present example is the first one to be completed and cased judging from the movement and case number. The state of preservation is magnificent, featuring crisp case edges and no signs of major wear. The engraved enamel dial is exquisite, with raised text that is well-preserved and proudly presents the English calendar. The elegant moon phases complete the overall aesthetic with a graceful touch. The hallmarks are equally well-preserved, deep, and legible. Additionally, it comes with the original brown leather presentation case, which is a collectible in its own right. Having resided in an important private collection for over 30 years, this magnificent piece undoubtedly represents a technical work of art from Patek Philippe. Further confirmed with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, the date of manufacture of the present timepiece is in 1925 and its subsequent date of sale on 1st December 1970.
A splendid evolution of the Maison’s traditional horological lineage, the present “Moderne” reference 845 features an open-faced design with clean, elegant lines and a stepped case, showcasing the sophisticated minute repeater alongside the iconic perpetual calendar. Measuring a substantial 50mm in diameter, the three-part case is fitted with a snapped caseback, crafted by master Geneva casemaker Antoine Gerlach (Genevan Key number 4), who was also responsible for creating other notable Grand Complication pocket watches and wristwatches. Notably the movements within the known examples of the ref. 845 are powered by Victorin Piguet & Cie ébauche from circa 1930s and later cased in 1964 and onwards in yellow or white gold.
Only three yellow gold examples are known publicly and are furthermore fitted with an English calendar dial.
Case no. Movement No. Production Remarks
314'587 198'011 Movement production in 1925 and completed in circa 1960s. (The present example)
314'588 198'441 Movement production began in 1931 and completed in 1967. Part of the Patek Philippe Museum Collection
314'589 198'442 Movement production began in 1931 and completed in 1967. Sold at auction in 2006
With all three examples with consecutive case numbers, it is highly possible that the present example is the first one to be completed and cased judging from the movement and case number. The state of preservation is magnificent, featuring crisp case edges and no signs of major wear. The engraved enamel dial is exquisite, with raised text that is well-preserved and proudly presents the English calendar. The elegant moon phases complete the overall aesthetic with a graceful touch. The hallmarks are equally well-preserved, deep, and legible. Additionally, it comes with the original brown leather presentation case, which is a collectible in its own right. Having resided in an important private collection for over 30 years, this magnificent piece undoubtedly represents a technical work of art from Patek Philippe. Further confirmed with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, the date of manufacture of the present timepiece is in 1925 and its subsequent date of sale on 1st December 1970.
Provenance
Literature
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since 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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