94
Patek Philippe
An ultra rare, historically important and well preserved yellow gold single pusher chronograph wristwatch with vertical registers and officer case
- Estimate
- CHF250,000 - 500,000€260,000 - 519,000$275,000 - 550,000
CHF546,100
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1924
- Movement No
- 197'900
- Case No
- 289'859
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 13"', 27 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold PPCo pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 34mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with Breguet numerals in 1924 and its subsequent sale on June 18, 1926.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
While Patek Philippe is respected by collectors and connoisseurs alike for the impeccable and timeless classic designs, the brand has always shown a certain audacious approach to its technical mastery and artistic sensitivity, influencing not only its epoch but future designs from other brands.
The present single pusher chronograph is most certainly one of the brand’s most historically important creations, as it is in fact one of the earliest known chronograph wristwatches to have left the Patek Philippe ateliers. This timepiece is also part of an extremely low production run of 27 single-button chronographs of which 16 had an officer case like the present model.
This chronograph is also a superb gem of horological design with its delicate round case, short lugs and large crown. The dial layout is also unusual with the continuous seconds at 6 o’clock and the minutes counter at 12. The beautiful hands and the Breguet numerals along with the brand name displayed horizontally give for a superb theatrical and charismatic render.
An ingenious slide has been placed at 2 o’clock enabling the crown to be blocked preventing the user from inadvertently starting or stopping the chronograph.
The large double-hinged officer case houses a superbly decorated chronograph movement based on a Victorin Piguet ébauche featuring a column-wheel cover, an element that has become a Patek Philippe signature ever since. It is interesting to note that the movement number is also engraved on the inner back cover.
Victorin Piguet is considered one of the world’s most important complicated movement makers, producing ébauches for some of Patek Philippe’s most sophisticated timepieces such as the Packard and Graves Grand Complications.
The ultimate rarity and historical importance of the present watch (in fact three similar pieces are in the Patek Philippe museum) is further enhanced by the overall superb state of preservation making this timepiece a true crown jewel to cherish for generations.
The present single pusher chronograph is most certainly one of the brand’s most historically important creations, as it is in fact one of the earliest known chronograph wristwatches to have left the Patek Philippe ateliers. This timepiece is also part of an extremely low production run of 27 single-button chronographs of which 16 had an officer case like the present model.
This chronograph is also a superb gem of horological design with its delicate round case, short lugs and large crown. The dial layout is also unusual with the continuous seconds at 6 o’clock and the minutes counter at 12. The beautiful hands and the Breguet numerals along with the brand name displayed horizontally give for a superb theatrical and charismatic render.
An ingenious slide has been placed at 2 o’clock enabling the crown to be blocked preventing the user from inadvertently starting or stopping the chronograph.
The large double-hinged officer case houses a superbly decorated chronograph movement based on a Victorin Piguet ébauche featuring a column-wheel cover, an element that has become a Patek Philippe signature ever since. It is interesting to note that the movement number is also engraved on the inner back cover.
Victorin Piguet is considered one of the world’s most important complicated movement makers, producing ébauches for some of Patek Philippe’s most sophisticated timepieces such as the Packard and Graves Grand Complications.
The ultimate rarity and historical importance of the present watch (in fact three similar pieces are in the Patek Philippe museum) is further enhanced by the overall superb state of preservation making this timepiece a true crown jewel to cherish for generations.
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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