Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT Geneva Saturday, November 10, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1924
    Movement No: 197'900
    Case No: 289'859
    Model Name: "Officier"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13"', 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold PPCo pin buckle
    Dimensions: 34mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with Breguet numerals in 1924 and its subsequent sale on June 18, 1926
    Literature: The present watch is prominently illustrated in Patek Philippe Complicated Wristwatches by Giampiero Negretti & Paolo de Vecchi, pp. 20 & 21.

  • Catalogue Essay

    For close to a century, Patek Philippe chronographs have exerted a certain allure and attraction on collectors and connoisseurs. Regardless of design or added complications these pieces have always demonstrated not only Patek Philippe’s technical mastery but also a certain artistic sensitivity that influenced not only their epoch but future designs from other brands.

    One of the earliest Patek Philippe chronographs, the present watch is the earliest to have left the Patek Philippe ateliers. This timepiece is also part of an extremely low production run of 27 single-button chronographs of which 16 had an officer case like the present model.

    Consequently, the present chronograph is not only collectible because of its exceptional condition and ultimate rarity, but also and maybe most importantly because of its historical relevance.

    The design of this timepiece is furthermore a perfect study in balance, refinement and elegance. The silver grené dial with Breguet numerals (as confirmed by the Extract from the Archives) has aged with grace, the continuous seconds and minutes counters are placed at 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock respectively, an unusual vertical layout as opposed to the more common horizontal one adding extra panache to the design. The brand name is boldly placed horizontally on the dial.

    A slide at 2 o’clock enables the crown to be blocked preventing the user from inadvertently starting or stopping the chronograph.

    The large double-hinged officer case houses a superbly decorated chronograph movement based on a Victorin Piguet ébauche featuring a column-wheel cover, an element that has become a Patek Philippe signature ever since. It is interesting to note that the movement number is also engraved on the inner back cover.

    Victorin Piguet is considered one of the world’s most important complicated movement makers, producing ébauches for some of Patek Philippe’s most sophisticated timepieces such as the Packard and Graves Grand Complications.

    Single-button chronographs are amongst the rarest gems within the family of complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches - itself already one of the most exclusive clubs a watch can belong to. However, the rarity and historical importance of the present chronograph cannot be underscored enough, making this timepiece a true crown jewel to cherish for generations.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    Since 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.

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An extremely rare, well preserved and historically important yellow gold single pusher chronograph wristwatch with vertical registers and officer case

1924
34mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF400,000 - 800,000 
€352,000-704,000
$410,000-819,000

Sold for CHF492,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT

Geneva Auction 10-11 November 2018