Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII Hong Kong Friday, May 24, 2024 | Phillips

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  • Condition Report

  • Description

    View our Conditions of Sale.

  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1908
    Movement No: 153’469
    Case No: 267’275
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 19”’, lever escapement, stamped “PAT” Jan 13 1891, 21 jewels
    Dimensions: 49mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, cuvette and movement signed
    Accessories: Delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture in 1908 and its subsequent date of sale on 5th March 1912.

  • Catalogue Essay

    A chance to own a part of its history from none other than the great Patek Philippe, the present open-faced pocket watch is one of such. Preserved in gorgeous condition featuring a white enamel dial decorated with classic Breguet numerals and blued steel spade hands, the shinny gold cuvette is inscribed with a delightful merit. “Second Prize, Geneva Astronomical Observatory Timing Contest”, the present specimen was part of the submission in 1910 and went home with a mark of recognition for the maison’s achievement.

    The star of the show is the “Extra” quality 19’’’ nickel plated movement decorated with Côtes de Genève. Patek Philippe classified its watches with a special system: “Extra”, “Special”, and “Extra Extra” being the highest quality and finishing which required master watchmakers to handle. Each caliber produced by the manufacturer is made to exacting specifications and guidelines, including jewelling to the train and escapement, the end-stone must be centered on the baseplate, the going train must be angled above and below with polished sink, the winding mechanism must meet registered designs, steeled parts must have polished angles just to name a few. The movements that qualify as “Extra” have more requirements including, jewels set in gold chatons, often with counterpoised straight line lever escapements, micrometer regulators and eight adjustments. It is also notable that the timepieces that were sent to the Observatory Contest boasts movement numbers stamped twice within the movement.

    Featuring a Guillaume balance with “eagle head” staff, gold wheels, wolf tooth gears and diamond-endstone, this movement is built for ultimate precision timekeeping. Furthermore, it is engraved with its patent date “Jan 13 1891” for the ornamental bridge design that granted Patek Philippe to claim the patent for the famous Chronometro Gondolo calibre made for retailer Gondolo & Lauriau.

    Boasting not only a strong case, crisp hallmarks and razor-sharp engravings, but devoltion and endurance that only a few can accomplished, the present specimen surely have enough reasons for modern day collectors to fall in love with pocket watches all over again.

  • Artist Biography

    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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971

A well-preserved, rare and attractive yellow gold open-faced keyless pocket watch with small seconds, white enamel dial, Breguet numerals, Guillaume balance and gold cuvette engraved with Second Prize at the Geneva Astronomical Observatory Timing Contest

1908
49mm diameter
Case, dial, cuvette and movement signed

Estimate
HK$24,000 - 48,000 
€2,800-5,700
$3,100-6,200

Place Advance Bid
Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031
WatchesHK@phillips.com
 

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+ 852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com
 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2024