Gostkowski

• highly jewelled damascened nickel lever movement, bi-metallic compensation balance • plain polished cuvette marked 18k • white enamel dial, Roman numerals, four subsidiary dials for day, month/leap year indication (calendar in French), date and constant seconds combined with aperture for moon-phases, fleur-de-lys hands • plain polished case marked 18k and numbered 962, full calendar adjusters under the bezel • dial signed

Manual winding movement running while cataloguing but may benefit from servicing. Dial with hairline cracks at the edge at 4 and 9. Case with light scuffs throughout, very small indentation to the band.
"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."

The Gostkowski family were closely associated with the early days of Patek Philippe. Vincent Gostkowski (1807-1884), a trained lawyer and father of Laurent, was born in Poland and emigrated to Geneva in the 1830s, the same decade as Antoine-Norbert de Patek. In the 1840s, Vincent Gostkowski was an early financial backer and associate of the firm Patek & Cie. (the firm formerly known as Patek, Czapek & Cie.) On 21st January 1876, Vincent Gostkowski left Patek & Cie which was reorganised and renamed Patek, Philippe & Cie. Laurent and his father subsequently opened their own business in Geneva and Paris. Among their workers was a former employee of Patek, Czapek & Cie: Henry Majewski. The Gostkowki firm won a silver medal for horology at the Paris Exposition of 1878. Shortly after this date, Gostkowski opened a new 'atelier' close to the quai des Bergues in Geneva. The company was one of the Swiss Collective group which won First Prize at the Melbourne Universal Exhibition of 1881. Interestingly another of the Gostkowski's employees was Emmanuel Cottier (1858-1930) father of Louis Cottier (1894-1966) who would make his name as the genius behind, amongst other technical innovations, Patek Philippe's world time mechanism (invented in 1931). For a biography of Vincent Gostkowski, see: Tellier, A., Montre Royales 1850-1910 par Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe Museum, 2005, pp.15-16.