Patek Philippe

• 21''' RMDQ damascened nickel movement with Earnshaw type spring detent escapement, 29 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance with recess for the blued steel free-sprung helical balance-spring, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, wolf's tooth winding, minute repeating on 2 steel gongs • white dial with Roman numerals, blued steel spade hands, 4 satin finished silvered subsidiary dials indicating date with constant seconds, day in French combined with 24-hour indication, month in French combined with leap year indication, fan-form aperture for moon-phases • 18k yellow gold case, repeating slide to the band, transparent crystal dust cover, hinged back • dial signed by retailer, case, dial and movement signed by maker

Manual winding movement running, minute repeating, perpetual calendar functions in working condition. Minute repeating sound is crisp and well-paced. Dial is nice and clean. Case with minor scuffs from normal use. Overall appears in very good condition. Please note the movement has not been tested for accuracy of time keeping and a service might be required at buyer's expense.
"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 setting pin and an Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1990 and sale on 13th December the same year.

Ref. 961 was introduced in 1989 as one of the most complex movements created by Patek Philippe for a modern pocket watch. This timepiece is considered an art piece of haute horology where it mechanical precision and complications coexist in harmony. Due to numerous numbers of parts, the complication mechanism often interferes with the precision of the watch. The level of precision of the combination of minute repeater and perpetual calendar mechanism requires tremendous skill and ingenuity that only a selected few have been able to achieve. 

Patek Philippe first made chronometer watches with complications in the 1840s, almost 150 years before the introduction of the Ref. 961.  Throughout the history of the company, complication watches with Earnshaw spring detent escapements have remained not only exceptionally rare but also most costly to manufacture.  This complicated mechanism was developed by Thomas Earnshaw (1749 - 1829) in the mid-1780s.  It is a spring detent type giving impulse to the balance in one direction during a short section of its arc.  It has the advantage of not requiring oil on the escape wheel teeth.  During the 19th century this escapement became the standard for marine chronometers and continued to be manufactured for use at sea until the advent of quartz controlled timekeepers.

According to our research, exceedingly few examples of the reference 961 were ever produced and only 3 are currently known by the public.