Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1893/1909 Movement No: 97'119 Case No: 258'956 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 19''', 24 jewels Dimensions: 52mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming year of production of the movement in 1893, encased in 1909, and the subsequent sale of the watch on September 5, 1934
Catalogue Essay
The present hunter-cased chronograph watch is truly an amazing piece. Produced and delivered to Giulio Haag & Figlio, the official Patek Philippe retailer in Genova, is the only hunter case pocket watch with a split-seconds and a 30-minute recorder ever offered in public according to research. To date, records document only a total of 57 pocket watches with split seconds with 30-minute recorder, with the exception of the present watch they have all been fitted in an open face type cases. Hunter cases, were mostly used by Patek Philippe for time only watches.
The massive, 18-karat yellow gold hunter case features a complex, 5-hinge opening system, reserved for Patek’s most lavish and exclusive timepieces. Furthermore, the savvy collector will be charmed by the fancy Arabic numerals on the dial giving this highly collectible watch a particularly attractive aesthetic. The condition in which it is presented today is truly excellent - the case and dial showing no imperfections, and the highly complicated movement appearing to have just come out of the manufacture. A unique piece, it is a rare treasure for the discerning collector.
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.