Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1967 Reference No: 809 Movement No: 874’055 Material: Gilt brass Calibre: Photo-electric cell, cal. 17”’250, 29 jewels Dimensions: 225mm length x 170mm width x 95mm depth Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe presentation box and Extract from the Archives confirming its date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1967 with “Black gold-brushed case glass panels and decorative corners” and its subsequent date of sale on 31st August 1967.
Catalogue Essay
Established in 1948, Patek Philippe’s Electronics division was created with a specific task to innovate photoelectric and electronic timekeeping technology. After 7 years of the establishment of the division, Patek Philippe launched their very first solar-powered photoelectric clock at the World Symposium 1955.
The present Patek Philippe ref. 809 desk clock is composed of a rectangular-shaped gilt brass frame with glass panels, each facet of the case depicting a black and gold brushed texture with gilt decorative corners. The top facet lays Patek Philippe’s innovative feature of a solar panel, which supplies energy to a storage devise embedded inside the case. With a technology so ahead of its time, it is no wonder the Patek Philippe solar desk clocks have garnered such attention as it depicts the manufacturer’s ability to blend artisanal craft with sophisticated watchmaking technology. Manufactured in 1967 and confirmed by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, the present desk clock will surely impress any important boardroom or desk.
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.