Patek Philippe - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1944
    Reference No: 685
    Movement No: 863'376
    Case No: 636'848
    Material: 18k pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels
    Dimensions: 46 mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With an Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1944, and its subsequent sale on March 27th, 1946

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced by Patek Philippe during the 1930s, Reference 685 pocket watches were produced in very small series. To date, only three examples of this reference in rose gold have appeared at auction.

    This open-face chronograph watch with attractive vertical registers was manufactured in 1944, and, according to the Extract from the Archives, was later sold in March 1946. The two-tone rose-colored dial is calibrated with a tachometer scale along its outer circumference. Two sunken sub-dials, elegantly positioned at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock, indicate the elapsed minutes of the chronograph function and the timekeeping seconds, respectively. Featuring hard, raised enamel print throughout, the dial perfectly matches the rose gold, 46 mm case that protects the extremely fine caliber 13-130 within.

    It is not known to all collectors that the 13-130 movement used in this pocket watch is the same ébauche movement found in Patek Philippe’s wristwatch chronographs, such as references 130, 1463, 1579, and 530, some of which in rose gold are fetching up to and over ten times the current value of this rare reference 685.

    The present example is distinguished by its spectacular overall condition, that when combined with its rarity and excellent value, make it a pocket watch collector’s dream come true.

  • 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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Ref. 685
A very rare and attractive pink gold open face chronograph watch with two-tone pink dial and vertical registers

1944
46 mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 

Sold for CHF35,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm