Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1945
    Reference No: 699
    Movement No: 861'075
    Case No: 647'096
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 17''', 29 jewels
    Dimensions: 48.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming year of production of the present watch in 1945 and its subsequent sale on June 19, 1950
    Literature: A similar watch is illustrated in Patek Philippe by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, p. 228, pl. 210

  • Catalogue Essay

    Even though the sale of wristwatches surpassed pocketwatches in the 1930s, Patek Philippe continued expressing its technical knowhow in pocketwatches, which it made in extremely low numbers. This reference 699 is a perfect example of Patek Philippe demonstrating its prowess as a watchmaker, with its almost Bauhaus design, and a superbly powerful three-piece case with brushed flanks. The thin, almost non-existent bezel provides for a full opening onto the dial for a most pleasant effect.

    Only six reference 699 models are known to date, and the present lot has the particularity of not only being fresh to the market appearing in an auction room for the first time, but also, it is the only one known to solely feature lapidated indexes on the dial. All other reference 699 models feature a mix of Roman numerals and baton hour markers. Another notable feature of the present watch is the rectangular shaped pendant, whereas reference 699 is found more with the bell-shaped pendant. With its combination of Patek Philippe’s most prestigious “grande” complications – the perpetual calendar and minute repeater – this incredibly rare timepiece is a wonderful example for collectors of Patek Philippe watches.

  • 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. 699
An extremely rare and fine yellow gold open face minute repeating perpetual calendar watch with moonphase

1945
48.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000 
€64,300-129,000
$72,100-144,000

Sold for CHF62,500

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016