PATEK PHILIPPE | A VERY FINE AND RARE YELLOW GOLD OPEN-FACED WORLD TIME KEYLESS WATCHREF 605 MVT 930641 CASE 647104 HEURES UNIVERSELLES MADE IN 1946

• cal. 17'''170 world time manual winding movement, 18 jewels • three-part silvered dial, the central raised portion with stylized hands, applied Roman and dot indexes, the recessed middle portion indicating 24 hours with diurnal and nocturnal indication, the raised outer portion listing 41 world cities • 18k yellow gold case, rotating Heures Universelles bezel designed by watchmaker Louis Cottier, snap-on case back, arched pendant • case, dial and movement signed

The movement and rotating bezel in working condition at the time of cataloguing. The dial with some minor spots throughout, but they are considered to be consistent with its age.The central raised portion also shows a few surface hairlines. Arabic numerals marking show signs of discolouration, particularly to 18 and 23. Case in good condition with some tiny nicks to the edge of the band. Case back with some surface scratches which is also consistent with its age. Arch is with minor indention. Overall in very good condition. * Please note that the movement has not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's expense. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.
"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."

Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives. Reference 605 was created in fewer than one hundred examples in total, with production commencing in 1937 and continuing for nearly thirty years. Examples were available in yellow and pink gold, with dial color and layout variations. It is estimated that three-quarters were cased in yellow gold and one-quarter in pink gold. 

The 'Heures Universelles' function in reference 605 is operated via the bezel, a mechanism shared by this reference and the wristwatch reference 1415. By rotating the bezel so that the home city is at the 12:00 position and setting the watch to the local time zone, the recessed 24-hour indication adjusts automatically so that one can see the current time in 41 world cities. Because the case, dial and movement are all integral to the technical function of the watch, Louis Cottier supervised the production of each element. It is interesting to note that the present example, like many of Cottier's inventions, lists London and Paris on the same time zone, within Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). On June 15th, 1940, Paris converted to Central European time due to the war. For many years, it was thought that Paris would eventually revert back to GMT, and there are Patek Philippe 'Heures Universelles' watches and wristwatches from as late as the 1970s which still list Paris and London on the same time zone.

Bearing the Roman numerals and dot indexes together with “circle” hour hand, the present lot belongs to the 1^st series of reference 605. The present lot is now offered on behalf of a descendant of the original owner, and it ticks every box for a discerning buyer.