Patek Philippe

20''' gilt movement, Earnshaw spring detent escapement, free-sprung bi-metallic compensation balance, blued steel helical spring, wolf's tooth winding, polished repeating hammers sounding on two coiled gongs, gold cuvette • white enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer scale with red Arabic numerals for 5th of a second, four sunken subsidiary dials for seconds combined with date, day, month and moon-phases, blued steel moon hands • heavy 18k gold case, case back engraved with armorials, chronograph pusher through the crown, chronograph locking slide and repetition slide to the band • cuvette signed and numbered, dial signed

Movement running and repeating, calendar functions advancing. Strike is loud and clear. Enamel dial with chips and cracks to the subsidiary dials. Constant seconds subsidiary heavily crazed. Heavy case in good overall condition with light scuffs. An extremely rare and complicated watch.
"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."

Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1878 and sale on November 9th the same year.

This is the only watch by Patek Philippe currently known with the combination of perpetual calendar, 5 minute repetition, chronograph and spring detent escapement. Indeed, only 3 other perpetual calendar, chronograph watches with 5 minute repetition are known - all of these have a regular escapement and are hunting cased rather than open-faced. As a consequence, the present watch is most probably unique, furthermore, it was manufactured 11 years before Patek Philippe registered their patent for the perpetual calendar movement. At the time of its production, in 1878, the watch would have been one of the most complicated pieces yet made by Patek Philippe. Indeed, according to our research, prior to the date of this watch, there do not appear to be any comparable Patek Philippe pieces with such a combination of important complications. The watch is notable also in design terms; its dial can clearly be seen as a precursor to the layout of the majority of future perpetual calendar watches by the company, an influence that can still be seen to the present day.