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64Δ

Patek Philippe

Ref. 605

Worldtime

A rare and attractive yellow gold open face world-time pocket watch, retailed by Gübelin

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Reference 605 represents the Patek Philippe pocket incarnation of the World Time (Heures Universelles) mechanism invented by Louis Cottier. Between 1930 and 1964, Cottier delivered to Patek Philippe 95 modified 17-170 movements (considered one of the best time only movements of its time), most of them employed in reference 605, rendering this an astoundingly rare model with a total output below 100 pieces. While some dials featured polychrome enamel depictions of maps, others displayed mythological creatures. The most classic version is the present watch, with a silvered dial.

This wonderfully preserved yellow gold reference 605 features the signature of Gübelin at the center of the dial. Most interestingly, the inside case back bears a series of of minuscule letters. Research shows that this was actually an internal code that Gübelin used. The present watch most notably displays a "long signature", meaning the watch is a particularly early example made before the manufacture changed their signature to the short "Patek Philippe" version.

The present example impresses with its incredible condition, having developed a layer of charming patina on the bezel - a direct result of being unused to for a very lone time.

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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