Patek Philippe - Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers Geneva Friday, November 8, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1946
    Reference No: 605
    Movement No: 930'542
    Case No: 642'704
    Model Name: Worldtime
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal 17-170, 18 jewels
    Dimensions: 44.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed Gübelin
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1946 and its subsequent sale on April 2, 1948 and presentation box. Further accompanied by Gübelin Extract from the Archives confirming the sale of this watch.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In the early 1930s, celebrated Geneva watchmaker Louis Cottier (1894-1966) invented a functional complication that would allow the wearer to instantaneously know the time in 42 different cities. Designed to be simple to operate, the local or mean time is set through the crown (the 24 hour ring will revolve in the opposite direction to the hands). Subsequently, the outer ring is adjusted by depressing the button in the case until one's current location is indicated at the 12 o'clock position. Once calibrated, the relative time of each world location is set. The two-tone, 24-hour ring indicates world locations that are in night time by the grey section and daytime by the silvered section.
    By the late 1930’s travel was becoming more common and some of the most prestigious watchmakers such as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Rolex presented this complication in pocket or wristwatches. In 1937 Patek Philippe released the reference 605HU (Heures Universelles) that remained in production for more than 10 years. Made in 1946, the present watch is one of approximately 46 examples ever produced, and the 21st to come to market. Another reference 605 also retailed by Gübelin is known and has movement and case numbers only few numbers apart from the present one. Presented today in very appealing condition, accompanied with its original box as well as an Extract from the Archives of both Patek Philippe and Gübelin, this watch represents a rare opportunity to own a piece that has travel through time and continents with elegance.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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Ο22

Ref. 605
A rare and elegant yellow gold open face world-time pocket watch with box

1946
44.5mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed Gübelin

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 80,000 
€36,800-73,700
$40,300-80,600

Contact Specialist
Virginie Liatard-Roessli
Specialist, Head of Sale
+41 76 338 91 03
vliatard@phillips.com

Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers

Geneva Auction 9 November 2019