Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1912 Movement No: 170'295 Case No: 293'800 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, 21'', jeweled Dimensions: 91mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1912 for the Geneva Observatory Contest in 1919, with Bulletin obtained for 1st class test results in performance, and its subsequent sale on September 16, 1932. Furthermore accompanied by Patek Philippe original walnut presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Extremely rare, the present watch is one among less than two dozen known desk clocks with observatory movements, specially made for retailers with their original walnut box. These timepieces were most notably made for retailers as display pieces - each with chronometer quality movements. The desk clock itself is massive, measuring 91 millimeters, with a dial featuring black enamel baton indexes and blued steel hands.
In a striking design, the boxes displayed the retailer each clock was displayed for - in this instance, it is Oscar Linke. Research shows that Oscar Linke was a retailer in Genova. Other clocks bear different retailer names - in the past we have seen those engraved with Alfredo Alvarez, Tiffany & Co, Shreve, and Baily, Banks & Biddle, among others.
This particular watch passed the Geneva Observatory Contest in 1919, with a "Bulletin" obtained for 1st class test results in performance.
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.
An interesting and rare chromium plated desk clock with hack feature, power reserve, observatory movement with Guillaume balance and walnut presentation box, retailed by Oscar Linke