Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE Geneva Friday, May 12, 2017 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1946
    Reference No: 1415
    Movement No: 929'578
    Case No: 647'134
    Material: 18 pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12""-120, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold PPCo pin buckle
    Dimensions: 31mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of the present watch in 1946 and its subsequent sale on January 11, 1950.
    Literature: Examples of reference 1415 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 243 - 247.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Patek Philippe reference 1415HU (Heures Universelles or World Time) was a ground breaking timepieces as it took Louis Cottier’s genius invention and miniaturized it into a wristwatch, two years only after having launched its first world time pocket watch .

    Reference 1415 was introduced in 1939 and remained in production until 1954 approximately. Its movement was based on the established Patek Philippe calibre 12'''-120. Patek Philippe upgraded only 115 movements using the world time mechanism, the majority were housed in yellow gold very few in pink gold and one example in platinum is known.

    In 1948 Patek Philippe offered the reference 1415HU with superb cloisonné enamel dials.

    The present lot in a superbly well preserved pink gold case is part of the later series featuring a hand engraved bezel listing 41 cities whereas the earlier models indicated 28 cities, in fact only 15 pink gold examples featuring the 41 city bezel are known to date making this lot particularly rare. The vibrant silver dial is a perfect background for the flamboyant globe hands.

    This timepiece last appeared at auction at Phillips, de Pury & Luxumbourg in 2001 and is a superb legacy of Patek Philippe’s long lasting expertise in world time watches and would be a spectacular addition to any collection.

  • 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. 1415
A very rare and attractive pink gold world time wristwatch with tear-drop lugs

1946
31mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 90,000 
€55,600-83,400
$59,500-89,200

Sold for CHF106,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE

Geneva Auctions 13 – 14 May 2017