Property of the family of the Original Owner
Patek Philippe
An important and rare pink gold hunter cased minute repeating perpetual calendar watch with moon phase | Made in 1883
Auction Closed
May 10, 02:36 PM GMT
Estimate
50,000 - 100,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: white enamel dial, Roman numerals, blued steel spade hands, four subsidiary dials for day and month in French, red date combined with constant seconds, moon-phases combined with lunar calendar, outer minute track
Calibre: cal. 19''' high grade quality nickel manual winding, level escapement, gold balance screws, wolf teeth winding system, fully jewelled, patent Patek Philippe perpetual calendar system, 'Damascened' finish, Geneva stripe finish bridge, repeating on two gongs
Movement number: 65'490
Case: 18k pink gold, 'pomme et gouge' coin edge, hinged engraved cuvette
Case number: 65'490
Size: 55.5 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on August 17, 1887
This highly complicated Patek Philippe pocket watch made in 1883 is a piece of art and history. Even by today's standards, the combination of a minute repeater and perpetual calendar functions is extremely difficult to achieve and therefore such pieces are very rare. To find a well-preserved example from nearly 150 years ago is quite remarkable.
The first pocket watch with minute repeater and perpetual calendar known to have been made by Patek Philippe dates to 1874. Research shows that from 1874 to 1889, the perpetual calendar movements were all slightly different from each other as the company worked towards perfecting the complication. Consequently, as no two were exactly identical, such watches made between 1874-1889 could be considered unique. Such pieces made during that period are therefore extremely sought-after by discerning collectors. Patek Philippe finally patented their complication on May 23rd, 1889 under Swiss Patent No.1018.
This particular example is housed in a heavy pink gold hunting case that is finely decorated and is free of monogram. It has been preciously kept within the same distinguished family since its original purchase and is emerging for the first time on the international market.