Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 156

Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 860182, case No. 3588. Unique example produced in 1938. Unique and highly important, astronomic, rectangular curved, platinum gentleman's wristwatch with triple-date calendar à guichets and moon phases. With a platinum Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.

CHF 1 - 1

EUR 1 - 1

C. two-body, solid, polished and brushed, stepped sides, "bombé" crystal. D. matte silver with applied white gold indexes, three apertures below the 12 for the day of the week, of the month and the month, sector aperture above the 6 for the phases of the moon. "Bâton" white gold hands. M. Cal. 11''', tonneau, rhodium-plated, "fausses-côtes" decoration, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance with all adjustments, Breguet balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 24 x 36 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

This watch is published in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches", by M. Hubert and A. Banbery, 1998 , p. 210. Sold by Antiquorum by private treaty in 1982 for US $8?500. The present watch is unique and highly important in the history of the design and technical evolution of Patek Philippe wristwatches. It is the first ? and indeed the only ? known rectangular Patek Philippe watch with triple date and moon phases. The only other model bearing all these indications is the Calatrava reference 96, which is a round watch, or watches of a "tortue" or "tonneau" shape, all of whose dials afford more space for larger "guichets". The unusual rectangular form of the case gives the present watch great elegance, yet its smaller "guichets".allow less room for the indications. The result was perhaps considered not easy enough to read. It may be for this reason that Patek Philippe abandoned the design, reserving the triple date and moon phase indications for their round, "tonneau" and "tortue" cases. Another unusual feature of the watch is the horizontal disposition of the "guichets" between 10 o?clock and 2 o?clock. This wat ch is illustrated in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches" by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, second edition, 1998, p. 278, pl. 429