Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1903 Movement No: 124’761 Case No: 236’106 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 18’’’ Dimensions: 50mm diameter Signed: Case, cuvette, dial and movement signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with Breguet numerals in 1903, and its subsequent sale on November 8th, 1905.
Catalogue Essay
Minute repeating wristwatches are one of the most desired and collected timepieces today, however they came from a long tradition in complicated horological movements, with a history dating to early striking clock in towns and villages. In the 19th century, repeating tall clocks and desk clocks were miniaturized so in the darkness of night one could activate their pocket watch and hear the time chimed. Patek Philippe has been at the forefront of repeating technology and has always been known for the clarity and rich tone each of their watches produces.
The present yellow gold minute repeating pocket watch features a desirable white enamel dial with Breguet numerals, and outer red Arabic numerals as confirmed on the Extract from the Archives. The cuvette is engraved “Samuel Fletcher Pratt 1905. This repeater is the perfect example of the quality craftsmanship by the famed brand, and is in excellent overall condition with a lovely repeat tone.
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.