Patek Philippe

The Cowell and Hubbard Co. was Cleveland, Ohio’s oldest jewelry store. We can trace the roots of the company to when in 1861, Herbert Cowell and his father George took over the silversmith company of Royal Cowles, which was founded several years earlier in 1847. 

George Cowell had learned the jewelry trade in England until his emigration to Cleveland in 1955. Two years after the passing of George, jewelry salesman Addison T. Hubbard joined the firm and the company was renamed Cowell and Hubbard Company. 

The post American Civil War and Reconstruction eras fueled an economic boom in Cleveland that saw it transform into a manufacturing hub for the country. The acquisition of wealth by prominent Cleveland families led to a rise in the demand for luxury goods and specialty retailers. The subsequent years saw a significant expansion of the Cowell and Hubbard Co. as Addison Hubbard capitalized on this growth and spearheaded the development and reputation of the company as one of the finest jewelry stores west of New York City.

It was in this very boutique in the Fall of 1923 that the original owner purchased this present rare and exceptionally preserved timepiece; we can find the retailer signature on the movement and the case back is furthermore engraved ‘A. H. Skall Cleveland’. Oversized rectangular wristwatches by Patek Philippe from this period are quite rare and very few, around thirty, are known to have survived. Similar to the famous Reference 11, the design represents one of Patek Philippe's earliest wristwatch creations from that era. For similar examples, see pages 106-112 in Patek Philippe Geneve by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery. 

Characterized by its oversized and curved rectangular case, the timepiece sits boldly on the wrist and featured a variety of dial configurations that exemplified the Art Deco design principles of the period. The present example features exploded Arabic numerals lumed with Radium that beautifully captures the aesthetic of the Jazz Age. Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of sale on 11 September 1923, we are delighted to offer this exceptional timepiece from the family of the original owner.