Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2012 Reference No: 1623M Movement No: 1'804'888 Case No: 22'090 Material: Gilt Brass and enamel Calibre: Quartz Dimensions: 210mm Height Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped at the Geneva Salon and dated November 6, 2012, Portfolio photograph and traveling case. Furthermore accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 2012 and its subsequent sale on November 7, 2012.
Catalogue Essay
First produced in the 1950s, the Patek Philippe Dome Clock is a mainstay and crown jewel within the manufacture’s line of production. Characterized by the cylindrical form and spherical top, the earliest Dome Clocks were fitted with a mechanical movement powered by a solar panel.
The Dome Clock not only displays beautiful art, but merges timekeeping with technological innovation. It is the perfect canvas for an artisan to showcase his or her ability to create beautiful paintings. To apply enamel on the curved panels requires extremely delicate handling and high technical ability, as enamel is particularly prone to cracking. The relatively vast space furthermore enables the artisan to exhibit a wide range of color and design.
This wonderful dome clock displays a rich cloisonné enamel scene titled "Ptolemy and Copernicus". To create a cloisonné enamel work of art is a particularly laborious process. The technique uses flat wires on the base of the metal. Enamel powders are subsequently filled to create various colors and patterns. It takes several months to create each dome clock, and each one is a unique piece.
The present dome clock features the different astronomers who pioneered modern astronomy. While one panel displays Claudius Ptolemy, the other features Nicholaus Copernicus and the other Galileo Galilei. The enamel is rendered in shades of brown, pink, beige and red. The side of the dome clock is most notably signed by the enameler. It is furthermore offered with its original certificate and portfolio photograph.
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. 1623M A highly rare and attractive polychrome cloisonné enamel dome clock displaying "Ptolemy and Copernicus" with original certificate and presentation box