Retailed by Gübelin: Patek Philippe

• cal. 17-170 manual winding nickel lever movement, swan neck precision regulator, 18 jewels, cut bi-metallic compensation balance • silvered Stern Frères dial, applied yellow gold Arabic and dot indexes, four subsidiary dials for month combined with leap year at 12, date at 3, moon phases combined with constant seconds at 6 and day at 9 • 18k yellow gold circular case by Wenger, concave bezel, snap-on back • case, dial and movement signed

The movement is running, and calendar functioning at time of cataloguing. It may benefit from a service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that it was not tested for the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement. Dial with a few marks, and a little discolouration towards the outermost edges, hands in good condition. case with scuffs and scratches consitstant with age and use. overall a very charming pocketwatch in very good condition.
"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."

Production of reference 725 began in 1940 and ceased in the early 1980s. It is interesting to note the similarities in design between the reference 725 pocket watch and its contemporary wristwatch models.  The first series reference 725, to which the present lot belongs, had applied Arabic and dot numerals, similar to those of the famous perpetual calendar reference 1526 wristwatch launched only one year after.

The second series of Ref. 725 featured applied baton numerals, a change that was also seen in the last examples of the reference 2497 and the 2438-1 models. Both the first and second series of reference 725 had scooped bezels, another design feature in common with the major complication Patek Philippe wristwatches of the same era.

The layout of the present lot is particularly exceptional. Indeed, it is only the second example with tumbling Arabic numerals known to have survived. The other one is illustrated in the Patek Philippe Museum book, The Emergence of the Portable Watch vol. 1, p. 284. Furthermore, the prestigious signature of Gubelin makes the only piece with such a dial.