56
Patek Philippe
Ref. 766
An extremely fine and unique gilt brass solar power dome table clock with pocket watch movement and cloisonné enamel scene 'Jeux de Voiles' by Madame Luce Chappaz
完整圖錄內容
The Dome Clock is a result of these two guiding principles and merges a beautifully and intricately crafted work of art with technological innovation. The curved panels provide the perfect canvas for an artisan to showcase his or her ability to create exquisite and colourful scenes on a variety of subjects. To apply enamel on the curved panels requires extreme delicate handling , technical virtuosity and artistic sensibility. Enamel as a medium is exceedingly challenging to work with; any variation in temperature or drafts of air during firing causes the enamel to crack, thus rendering Patek Phillipe cloisonné enamel dome clocks amongst the most coveted timepieces for collectors.
This particular dome clock is a relatively early example and is powered by a solar panel that in turn activates a pocket watch movement. The scene features artistically rendered sailboats, or "Jeux de Voiles" in arresting shades of maroon, green, brown and red. Set against the graduating shades of blue, the effect is dazzling and eye-catching. Madame Luce Chappaz is particularly skilled in enamel work, and this dome clock perfectly captures her creative skill and technical know-how. Most importantly, the clock was retailed by Cartier and the historic jeweler's signature is visible at 6 o'clock on the dial. Furthermore, there are Cartier hand stamped numbers on the base of the clock - a signature identification code for almost all Cartier-retailed timepieces. Each Dome Clock is made as a unique piece, and the present lot is no exception.
To the best of our knowledge, this timepiece is the only known Patek Philippe dome clock retailed by Cartier, further underscoring its absolute rarity and importance within the horological sphere.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since 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.