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970

Patek Philippe

Ref. 503

An attractive and unusual gilt brass solar powered perpetual calendar presentation table clock with “straight line” display, retailed by Tiffany & Co.

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Patek Philippe’s reference 503 is a lovely example of 1960s innovation and style. The large rectangular case has a solid architectural feel with square pilasters at the corners, and the state of the market solar panel caliber 17” 250 EQ was at the time a marvel of modern technology. The large solar panel on the top of the case allowed for the transformation of luminous energy in to electrical energy. A micro-accumulator stored the electrical energy, allowing for the clock to run even in the dark, and when fully charged the accumulator carried enough energy to power the clock for one year. It took Patek Philippe seven years to fully realize this extraordinary technology, and they were one of the first firms to fully make use of light energy.

The present clock is a presentation piece to Austin Stanley Moscowitz, dedicated on January 30, 1969, and accompanied by a Tiffany & Co. letter dated July 21, 1972, offering a lifetime guarantee on the clock. In excellent overall condition, the clock has been well maintained over its fifty-year history, and remarkably accompanied by the original Patek Philippe pamphlet and instruction card issued with the clock. This lovely original condition makes it a rare opportunity for a collector to own such an innovative timepiece.

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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