204
Patek Philippe
Ref. 699
An extremely rare and fine yellow gold open face minute repeating perpetual calendar watch with moonphases
Further Details
Full-Cataloguing
- Perpetual calendar and minute repeater
- One of only 7 examples known
- In very good condition with strong, crisp and pleasant chimes
Introduced during the 1930s and in production until the mod 1950s, the Patek Philippe reference 699 is an exceptionally rare example of the manufacture’s continued mastery of complicated pocket watches at a time when the wristwatch was rapidly becoming the dominant form of personal timekeeping.
Combining a perpetual calendar with a minute repeater, the reference embodies two of Patek Philippe’s most prestigious complications in a remarkably restrained, almost Bauhaus-inspired case design. Surviving examples are exceedingly scarce, with only seven reference 699s currently known. Their dials display a variety of configurations, including Roman numerals and baton or faceted hour markers, reflecting the highly individualised nature of Patek Philippe’s production during this period. The reference is particularly significant as a reminder that, even as the manufacture increasingly turned its attention toward complicated wristwatches, it continued to produce exceptional pocket watches in very limited numbers, preserving a tradition of technical virtuosity that had defined the firm since the 19th century.
Reference 699 existed in different series 699, 699/1 - 699/4, each with subtle dial and movement differences, the main difference being in the ref 699/2 which had an inline or so called “American” calendar layout.
The present example in overall very appealing condition last appeared at auction over 3 decades ago in 1992.
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.