Patek Philippe - The 2021 New York Watch Auction New York Saturday, December 11, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: Circa 1950
    Reference No: 802
    Movement No: 866’647
    Case No: 2’700’445
    Model Name: "Double Eagle"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 10’’’, 18 jewels
    Dimensions: 35mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed.

  • Catalogue Essay

    While coin watches are not as researched today compared to milestone Patek Philippe timepieces like the brand’s historic line of perpetual calendar chronograph watches, they provide a fascinating insight in to the history of horology. These ultra slim timepieces were constructed from legal tender, requiring two coins to be split to form their outer case, and a watch housed inside with a separate, hinged case. It is believed Cartier began to produce these uniquely styled timepieces in 1929, however there is archival evidence suggesting the earliest known examples date to the late 19th century. Patek Philippe is amongst many brands who created these lovely creations, and it is believed their production ran from the 1920s until the 1980s.

    Patek Philippe is known for their rare and unusual timepieces, and the present coin watch is an attractive example of their continued ingenuity. They produced a number of variants using different coins and monetary values over seven decades, with a range of reference numbers. Research indicates only approximately 200 of these fine watches were ever produced, including the reference numbers 800 through 809, with monetary values of $5USD (ref. 800), $10USD (ref 801), $20USD (ref 802 & 803) like the present reference 802, 100CHF (ref. 804), 50 Pesos (ref. 805), along with others. Additionally, the brand created examples with skeletonized movements.

    The present example is in excellent overall condition with a nicely aged dial with Breguet numerals. Both a rare collectible and an interesting novelty timepiece, these Patek Philippe coin watches have become highly desirable in the market today. This is a rare opportunity to own one of these fine and hardly seen pieces.

  • 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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45

Ref. 802
A very fine and attractive twenty dollar coin watch with Breguet numerals

Circa 1950
35mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed.

Estimate
$10,000 - 15,000 
CHF9,300-14,000
€8,900-13,400
HK$78,000-117,000

Sold for $56,700

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

The 2021 New York Watch Auction

New York Auction 11 - 12 December 2021