Patek Philippe

• 8''' jeweled gilt movement with cylinder escapement, bezel-wound • white dial, radial Roman numerals, blued steel spade hands • yellow gold ball-form case with raised scroll-form and dot ornamentation, central blue enamel ring set with rose-cut diamonds • movement and dial signed Patent, movement and case numbered

Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of its time keeping and therefore a service should be carried out in the near future at the buyer's expense. Watch is sealed and the movement has not been tested at the time of cataloguing. Dial and hands in good condition. Two diamonds missing from central enamel band. Overall 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.

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 beautiful Patek Philippe fitted helmet-form presentation box with adorned with a factory label listing the movement number, a novel confirmation of the case's authenticity and originality.

Considering the age of the piece, it is remarkable that the original accompaniments have been preserved.

In the 1878 Paris Exhibition, a showcase was devoted to these charming ball-form watches. As a result of this publicity, Patek Philippe received orders for 'boules de Genève' from royalty worldwide, and sold similar pieces to Prince Hussein Kamil of Egypt in 1887 and to Empress Teresa of Brazil in 1888. These pieces are documented in the exhibition catalogue for the 'Timepieces of Royalty' exhibition at the Patek Philippe Museum, Fall 2005. The Museum's permanent exhibition currently includes a few later examples of ball-form watches with varying dimensions and ornamentation.

It is interesting to note the present lot's placement in the early days of Patek Philippe's history. The 1839, Patek, Czapek & Co. was founded, followed shortly by the company's patent for the first stem-wound movement. 1851 saw the firm's transition to Patek, Philippe & Co., and a decade later, Adrien Philippe's improvements to the crown-winding system were patented. With this patent, it was only a matter of years until the first Swiss wristwatch was made by Patek Philippe in 1868, a lady's diamond-set concealed dial bracelet watch, sold to Countess Koscowitz of Hungary. Much like the present lot, the small size of this wristwatch was a feat of mechanics, as beautiful as it was technically impressive.  

The present example is signed 'Patent' on both the dial and the movement, a reference to the ingenious winding mechanism, which is activated by turning one hemisphere of the watch. It is possible that as no earlier examples are known, the present lot may be the first piece that utilized this technique. Given that it was created not long after the perfection of the stem-winding system, this novel invention illustrates the prolific creative spirit in both technology and aesthetics for which the company is still known. Furthermore, it is typical for pieces at this time to be unsigned and only given a single number, as the practice of differing case and movement numbers did not begin until approximately 1875.

For a later example of a Patek Philippe ball-form pendant watch, see Huber, M. & Banbery, A., Patek Philippe Watches, Vol. II, Second Edition, p. 75. While the published example is from 1912, the present lot was made nearly 50 years earlier.

For further discussion, see Tellier, A., Timepieces for Royalty Exhibition Catalogue, 1850-1910 by Patek Philippe, p. 169-170.