Patek Philippe

In the modern era, a period defined largely by the wristwatch, complicated pocket watches by Patek Philippe remain exceptional creations, produced not as objects of regular production, but as demonstrations of the manufacture’s highest level of technical and artistic ability. Reference 962 belongs to this rare category, with only three examples presently known, and with the present watch possibly unique among them for its Breguet numeral hour markers. Combining a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, moon phases, leap-year and 24-hour indications with the equation of time, it unites traditional high complications with one of Patek Philippe’s most specialized and elusive astronomical displays.

The equation of time, which shows the difference between true solar time and mean solar time, was first incorporated by Patek Philippe in pocket watch no. 24’919, sold to Pena, Madrid on 31 May 1865, where it appeared as an equation table. Over the following 135 years, and prior to the creation of the Star Caliber 2000, only approximately 20 known Patek Philippe pocket watches were completed with an equation of time indication. This exceptionally small group includes some of the manufacture’s most important pieces, among them the James Ward Packard and Henry Graves Supercomplications, as well as the Caliber 89. The brushed silvered dial, applied Breguet numerals, and dial-printed movement number further reflect the special character of the present watch, details historically reserved by Patek Philippe for some of its most important timepieces.

List of Complications:

Equation of Time

Minute Repeater

Perpetual Calendar

Moonphases

Date Display

Month Display

24-Hour Dial and Minute Subdial

Leap Year Cycle

Day of Week Display