Patek Philippe

• cal. 1-17/145 manual winding nickel lever movement stamped with the seal of Geneva, mono-metallic compensation balance, 18 jewels • white dial, Roman numerals, spade hands, subsidiary seconds • 18k yellow gold case, both polished bezels, band and bow finely engraved, polychrome enamel case back by G. Menni after a painting by Giovanni Segantini depicting the "Angel of Life" (1894) bearing the painter's name to the bottom left and the enameller signature to the bottom right • case, dial and movement signed

The movement is in working order while cataloguing but it has not been tested for the accuracy of time keeping and a service might be required at the buyer's expense. Dial is very clean and intact. Bezel with very faint surface scuffs. Strong hallmarks. Overall in excellent condition. Beautiful enamel work! Museum quality.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

With a Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin and a presentation case with outer packaging.  Further with an Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1996 and sale on October 28th, 1998.

Offered for the first time at auction by the original owner this example has remained in excellent original condition. The beautiful enamel scene is a miniaturization of the famed painting “L’angelo Della Vita” by the 19^thcentury Italian artist Giovanni Segantini and bears the signature of G. Menni, 95. Menni is among Patek Philippe's most celebrated enamellers, having painted approximately 50 miniature enamels for the firm from the early 1980s until the late 1990s. Along with Sussan Rhor, Menni is considered one of the finest in the rare art of miniature enameling and one of the select few considered skilled enough to sign their work for Patek Philippe.

Ref. 652 was produced from approximately 1936 until 1995, in the late 1960s Patek Philippe began enhancing examples of this reference with details such as engraving and enamel scenes, each decorated watch being created as a unique example.

The painting created by Giovanni Segantini (15 January 1858 - 28 September 1899) in 1894, called "L'Angelo della Vita" (the angel of life) is associated with the tradition of redemption and regeneration. The mother was holding the baby lovingly in the pose of Madonna while the snow on the mountains behind began to melt. Fresh leaves were growing out of the seemingly dead birch tree, suggesting a possibility of rebirth. The tree in the painting is a religious symbol of the tree of life which, although bare and dead in the winter, will be reborn and blossom in the spring. This painting is traditionally regarded as one of Segantini's masterpiece as it shows the manifestation of the change from "Valid naturalism Art”  to” Mystical Symbolism" in 19th century paintings.

This work has been exhibited in the most prestigious European Art Fairs as in the Central Committee in Rome to the International Sacred Art in 1894, in 1926 in Venice, in 1935 to the Paris Musée des Ecoles étrangères contemporaines, in 1956 in St. Gallen and in 1964 at Arco in Monaco.