Ten commemorative fine timepieces: two World Time, six Chronographs, the Chiming Jump Hour and the Grandmaster Chime, a masterpiece featuring 20 horological complications: this is how Patek Philippe has celebrated, last 14 october, its 175th Anniversary, thus reaffirming an unrivaled leadership in fine watchmaking. We're here celebrating, instead, its first 175 years by showing all the images from the event organized jointly by Orologeria Luigi Verga and Christie's, the renowned auctioneer from London that, next november the 9th, will be selling 100 watches that have made the history of the maison from Geneva.
Many ones out of those one hundred, that are truly unique in some cases (we already gave you a preview last week) were on display inside the boutique rooms. Here is our list.
Patek Philippe 4404/1.
This is a very rare 18k white gold and diamond-set dual time timepiece with lapis lazuli dial manufactured in 1978. It features two independent mechanical calibers that feature the Geneva seal, have 20 jewels, Gyromax balances, lapis lazuli dial with two textured "Tuscany" – finished silvered subdials, a two-part case, bezel set with 92 diamonds (approximately 1.20 cts), case back secured by four screws, integrated 18k white gold Patek Philippe textured "Tuscany"-finished bracelet, case, dial and movements signed. Its case size is 34.5 mm x 23mm and its estimate between CHF 30,000 and CHF 50,000. This watch is believed to be the only second example of a reference 4404/1, in production from 1976 until around 1979, to appear in public to date.
Patek Philippe 4359/1.
This is a very fine, unusual and possibly unique 18K white and yellow gold triangular bracelet watch with diamond-set lapis lazuli dial. Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, it was manufactured in 1975 and is equipped with caliber 16-250 mechanical lever movement, with 18 jewels, lapis lazuli dial with applied 12 diamond-set indexes, triangular case, hooded lugs, snap on case back, 18K white and yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet, case, dial and movement signed and a 37.5mm wide case. Unknown from public and literature, this reference 4359/1 is almost certainly a unique piece, created in 1975 possibly as a stylistic exercise. Estimate is CHF 50,000 – CHF 100,000.
Patek Philippe 2497.
An 18k white gold 37mm wide perpetual calendar with sweeping central second hand, moon phases and bracelet. It was manufactured in 1953 and sold the 17 February 1954. It features caliber 27 SC Q, a mechanical movement stamped twice with the Geneva seal, with 18 jewels, silvered dial with applied white gold Breguet and dot numerals, two windows for day and month, subsidiary dial indicating the moon phases combined with date, a large circular case with downturned fluted lugs, snap on back, 18k white gold Patek Philippe bracelet signed Gay Fréres. Estimate: CHF 1,000,000 – CHF 2,000,000.
Patek Philippe 3624/1.
A 18k white gold, diamond and sapphire-set 34mm wide oval wristwatch paired to an 18k white gold and diamond-set ring. It was manufactured in 1975 and is equipped with caliber 23-300, a mechanical lever movement stamped twice with Geneva seal, Gyromax balance, 18 jewels, the pavé-set diamond dial with baguette-cut sapphire-set chapters, an oval case with pavé-set diamond bezel, snap on back, together with an 18k white gold mesh Patek Philippe bracelet, case, dial and movement signed; and the ring, designed as a pavé-set diamond oval plaque to the 18k white gold band. This is the second known example of this reference, a glamorous evolution of the original Ellipse model set with 100 high grade diamonds. Estimate is CHF 30,000 – CHF60,000.
Patek Philippe 3700/11.
A fine 42mm wide Nautilus retailed by BEYER, manufactured in 1982. It is equipped with caliber 28/255 C, an automatic movement stamped with the Geneva seal, 36 jewels, black ribbed dial, applied luminous gold baton numerals, date window, gold bezel, stainless steel and gold Patek Philippe bracelet and deployant clasp, case, dial and movement signed, dial furthermore signed by the retailer. The estimated total production of this model is only 200 pieces. This is the only reference 3700-11 AJ signed by BEYER known to the public. Estimate: CHF 15,000 – CHF 25,000.
Patek Philippe 4229/1.
An 18k gold, tiger's eye and lapis lazuli bracelet 28.5mm wide and 160mm long watch manufactured in 1974. Equipped with caliber 13.5''', mechanical movement stamped with the Geneva seal, 20 jewels, Gyromax balance, tiger's eye dial, articulated bracelet designed with seven similarly designed textured gold, tiger's eye and lapis lazuli modules in alternating directions, hidden spring clasp, case, dial and movement signed. This reference 4229/1 is the so far only known example of this highly rare and unusual model. It is furthermore preserved in excellent overall condition. Estimate is CHF 20,000 – CHF 40,000.
Patek Philippe for Tiffany.
An extremely fine and rare 18k gold open face minute repeating perpetual calendar keyless lever watch with moon phases. Signed Patek Philippe & Co. and made for Tiffany & Co., movement no. 174'608, case no. 402'488, manufactured in 1916 with caliber 19''' nickel-finished Extra lever movement, 31 jewels, wolf's tooth winding, minute repeating on two steel hammers onto two gongs, gold cuvette engraved "S. Severin Sörensen from his men Braden, September 1920, Edward B. Jennings 1940", white enamel dial, Roman numerals railway minute divisions, blued steel spade hands, four subsidiary dials indicating moon phases combined with lunar calendar, day, month and red date combined with constant seconds, massive circular case, hidden hinges, inlaid black enamel lozenge-shaped cartouche inscribed "S. Severin Sörensen – Braden, September 1920 – from his men" to the back, repeating slide in the band, case and movement signed Made for Tiffany & Co. by Patek Philippe & Co., Switzerland, and numbered, cuvette numbered, dial signed Tiffany & Co. and numbered. 53,5mm. diam. Estimate is CHF 80,000 – CHF 120,000.
Patek Philippe 530.
An extremely rare, large and historically important stainless steel 36.5mm wide chronograph with silvered sector dial. Signed Patek Philippe & Co., Genève, ref. 530, manufactured in 1939. Caliber 13''' nickel-finished lever movement, 23 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance, silvered dial, applied stainless steel Arabic and baton numerals, outer railway five minute divisions and tachymetre scale, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30 minutes register, large circular case, downturned lugs, snap on back. A spectacular discovery, fresh to the market and previously unknown from literature, the present reference 530 occupies a very special position in the family of these chronographs: made and sold in 1939, it is believed to be the very first example of a reference 530 in stainless steel to have left the factory, making it also an important witness in Patek Philippe's history of complicated steel watches. Estimate is CHF 200,000 – CHF 400,000.
Patek Philippe 1579.
A very fine and rare 18k pink gold 36mm wide chronograph with pulsation scale. This is ref 1579, Second Series, manufactured in 1951. It features caliber 13''' a nickel-finished lever movement with 23 jewels, amagnetic balance and a silvered dial, applied gold square and Arabic numerals, outer railway five minute divisions and scale calibrated for 15 pulsations, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30 minutes register, large circular case, downturned angular or "spider" lugs, snap on back, two rectangular chronograph buttons in the band, 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed .Estimate: CHF 60,000 – CHF 80,000.
Patek Philippe 2597.
An 18k gold dual time zone 35mm wide wristwatch, ref. 2597, movement no. 727'323, case no. 309'751, manufactured in 1956. It is equipped with caliber 12-400 a mechanical movement stamped twice with the Geneva Seal, 18 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance and features a silvered matte dial, black hard enamel numerals, applied gold baton numerals to 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock, outer pearl minute divisions, subsidiary dial for constant seconds, circular case, enlarged flat bezel, two buttons in the band to advance or set back the hour hand to display another time zone, snap on back, 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed. Estimate: CHF 60,000 – CHF 90,000.
Patek Philippe 2499 (First Series).
An exceptionally fine and rare 18k pink gold perpetual calendar 36,2mm wide chronograph with moon phases manufactured in 1951. Caliber 13'''130 Q mechanical movement, 23 jewels, silvered dial, applied pink gold Arabic and dot numerals, pink gold feuille hands, railway Arabic five minute divisions combined with fifth of a second divisions, outer tachymetre scale, two windows for day and month, three subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30 minutes register and moon phases combined with date, circular case, stepped downturned lugs, snap on back, 18K pink gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed. Estimate: CHF 1,600,000 – CHF 2,600,000.
Patek Philippe 2499 (Second series).
This is a very fine, rare and important 18k gold 37,6mm wide perpetual calendar chronograph with moon phases manufactured in 1960. It features caliber 13''' mechanical movement stamped twice with the Geneva seal and HOX, 23 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance, silvered matte dial, applied gold baton numerals, gold dauphine hands, outer Arabic five minute divisions and tachymetre scale in kilometers, two windows for day and month in English, three subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30 minutes register and moon phases combined with date, circular case, stepped downturned lugs, snap on back, 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed. Estimate: CHF 600,000 – CHF 1,000,000
Provenance.
Michael J.La Viano, a third generation master jeweler and Swiss-trained watchmaker, established a fledgling business in Westwood, New Jersey in 1945. Since the store's inception, MJ's dedication was to quality, providing his clients with the finest products available regardless of price. Since 1945, the business has evolved into one of the most respected independent jewelry stores in the country and is still family owned to this day. In addition, La Viano remains a Patek Philippe authorized retailer, a distinction it has held for over 50 years. This perpetual calendar chronograph in yellow gold, now known as the La Viano Ref. 2499, was sold to a retail client in New Jersey for US$1,500 in April of 1961.
Patek Philippe 3878.
A very fine 18k gold automatic skeletonized 31mm wide wristwatch, manufactured in 1982. It adopts caliber 240 SQ automatic finely engraved ultra-thin gilt-finished movement, 27 jewels, 22k gold micro-rotor, skeletonized dial, circular case, t-lugs, cabochon sapphire-set crown, glazed display snap on back, 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed. Estimate: CHF 15,000 – CHF 25,000.
Patek Philippe 2524/1.
An 18k gold 33m wide minute repeater, manufactured in 1955. It features caliber 12''' RM nickel-finished lever movement stamped HOX, 29 jewels, repeating on two hammers onto two gongs, silvered dial, applied gold baton numerals, pearled minute tracking, gold hands, circular case, downturned lugs, snap on back, repeating slide in the band, 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed. Estimate: CHF 350,000 – CHF 700,000.
Patek Philippe 1563.
An extremely rare, possibly unique, 18k gold 35mm wide split-second chrono with two-tone pulsation dial and screw back case. Movement manufactured in 1940, upgraded with the present case in 1943. Cal. 13''' nickel-finished jewelled lever movement stamped twice with the Geneva seal, metal dust cap, two-tone silvered dial, applied gold baton and Arabic numerals, outer railway five minute divisions and scale calibrated for 15 pulsations, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30 minutes register, circular water-resistant-type case, screw back, two round chronograph buttons in the band, 18K gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed. Estimate CHF 800,000 – CHF 1,600,000.
Provenance,
The Private Collection of Jean-Claude Biver
Patek Philippe 605.
A very fine and rare 18K gold open face World Time keyless lever 44mm wide watch. Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, ref. 605, movement no. 930'834, case no. 654'933, manufactured in 1948. Caliber 17'''170 HU nickel-finished lever movement, 18 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance, swan neck regulator, silvered matte dial, applied gold dot and Roman numerals, stylised gold compasses hands, outer ring with black enamel names of 42 world locations, all centred by a revolving black and silvered ring calibrated for the Arabic diurnal and nocturnal 24 hours, circular plain case, coin-edged bezel, snap on back, case, dial and movement signed. Estimate: CHF 30,000 – CHF 50,000.
For further info please visit Orologeria Luigi Verga, Christie's, Patek Philippe.
(Photo credit: Horbiter®'s proprietary photo-shooting by Karin Vettorel)
Gaetano C. @Horbiter®
@Gaetano Cimmino
