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Patek Philippe
Ref. 3205/43
A spectacular, well-preserved, and most likely unique platinum diamond- and ruby-set lady’s bracelet watch, and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
• Platinum case and bracelet, 16.7 carats of calibre-cut rubies, 4.21 carats of diamonds
• Most probably unique piece and fresh-to-the-market
• Family of the original owner, descendants of Latin American Patek Philippe distributor
Introduced in the mid 1950s, the reference 3205 acted as a generic reference for a variety of creative, elegant, audacious, and dazzling ladies’ wristwatches. They took on a variety of forms, encompassed multiple precious materials, and endured for the better part of a decade. Our research identified no fewer than 16 unique iterations of the 3205 have appeared at auction. The most extravagant of those were set in platinum and featured gem-set decorative cases and bracelets. Patek Philippe took a small, 12mm in diameter round case – extremely simple – and adorned it with exceptional panache in a myriad of forms.
Set with two side-by-side rows of diamonds and rubies, the present 3205/43 comes from the original family, scions of a prominent Patek Philippe distributor for Latin America. The stones appear to wrap around the case in an embrace, continuing on as part of the bracelet. The rubies are calibre-cut, while the diamonds are round brilliants. Overturning the watch to admire the craftsmanship on the reverse of the bracelet, the settings are balanced and beautifully geometric. The case has a small lever that the wearer can use to prop up the case so that the crown might be wound, otherwise it remains encased in the beautiful gem-set bezel.
A breathtaking blend of artistry and history, this 3205/43 is a never-before-seen example of Patek Philippe’s midcentury design prowess, appearing at auction after over sixty years with the same family. It is further augmented with a fitted Patek Philippe presentation box from the era.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.