Important Watches | 珍貴名錶
Important Watches | 珍貴名錶
Auction Closed
December 11, 08:21 PM GMT
Estimate
8,000 - 10,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
PATEK PHILIPPE
百達翡麗
REF 921 PENDULE CARRÉ
A GILT BRASS AND LAPIS LAZULI SOLAR DESK TIMEPIECE
MADE IN 1965
921型號「PENDULE CARRÉ」銅鍍金及青金石太陽能座鐘,1965年製
Dial: gilt brass 'Scottish motif', lapis lazuli indexes
Caliber: cal. 17-250É photo-electric movement, 18 jewels
Movement number: 873359
Case: gilt brass, solar panel, hinged back
Size: width 14 cm, depth 9 cm
Signed: dial and movement
Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of sale on November 7, 1963 with applied lapis lazuli indexes and the cabinet and dial engraved with 'Scottish' pattern
Patek Philippe began developing photo-electric technology before 1950, which at the time, was cutting edge technology. Solar technology had not yet diffused into a wide range of products. The novelty was such that in promotional literature for the clocks from the 1960s, Patek Philippe's frame of reference were the solar panels used to provide energy for the cameras aboard NASA's robotic Surveyor spacecrafts.
The photo-electric movement on the present example functions by a combination of several different mechanical processes. The upper solar panel collects artificial or natural light, which is transmitted via wires to a battery. This energy is then used to wind the mechanical cal. 17-250É movement.