Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1923 Movement No: 806'620 Case No: 409'314 Material: 18k gold, grey marble, and black enamel Calibre: Manual, cal. 17''' Dimensions: 45mm diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present with grey marble back case, and chased bezel in 1923 and its subsequent sale on August 18th, 1923.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe is renowned for it quality and workmanship and the present enamel pocket watch is an example of the aesthetic design that goes in to every watch. The bezel, band and case back are highlighted by a wonderfully crisp leaf motif, which is interspersed with black enamel, while the case back is the gem of the watch. A quick look and what appears to be grey marble with green veining, is in fact precise enamel work. The imitation work is a joy to behold, and one of very few known examples.
The present watch was last seen in public almost 25 years ago, and today retains its lovely original condition. Whether a collector of fine pocket watches or vintage wristwatches, a well-rounded collection should include very fine examples of enamel pocket watches and the present example is a must own watch.
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.