Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1979 Reference No: 898 Movement No: 932'867 Case No: 545'572, inside cuvette numbered No. 61 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, 17-170 Dimensions: 48mm. Diameter Signed:Movement, dial and case signed Accessories:Original Certificate with Gubelin stamp, product literature and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with engravings in 1979 and its subsequent sale on January 25th, 1980 Literature: Another example of this reference is illustrated in Patek Philippe Museum, Patek Philippe Watches - Volume II, page 386
Catalogue Essay
Schützenfests once played a significant role in the Old Swiss Confederacy, as they were pivotal in maintaining democracy within the new Swiss federal state. The first Swiss Federal Shooting Festival was held in 1824 and numerous levels of competitions have continued through to today.
This particular watch was made in a limited edition of 100 examples to commemorate the anniversary of the Swiss Federal Target shooting festival in Lucerne, Switzerland, and features the famous story of William Tell shooting the apple embossed in high relief, designed and signed by the celebrated artist Hans Erni. Hans Erni (February 21, 1909 – March 21, 2015) was a Swiss graphic designer, painter, illustrator, engraver and sculptor. Born in Lucerne, he studied art in France and Berlin, and admired artist such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. He is known for having illustrated postage stamps, his lithographs for the Swiss Red Cross and his participation on the Olympic Committee.
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.
Ref. 898 A rare yellow gold hunting cased keyless lever watch, made in commemoration of the 50th Swiss Federal Target Shooting Festival, with original certificate
1979 48mm. Diameter Movement, dial and case signed