Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1910
    Movement No: 156'779
    Case No: 616'425
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 19, 27 jewels
    Dimensions: 50mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed by retailer Walser Wald
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe presentation box stamped by Walser Wald. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1910 with silvered dial, Arabic numerals at 3 and 9 o'clock and baton-cut indexes in yellow gold and pulsometer scale and its subsequent sale on February 11, 1938.

  • Catalogue Essay

    This openface watch is remarkable for a number of reasons. First of all, it features a chronograph function, along with a two-tone sector dial with pulsations outer scale which is confirmed by the Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives.

    According to research, this is the only pulsations openface watch retailed by Walser Wald that has ever appeared on the market. The long "Patek Philippe & Cie" signature is correct for the period, and the hard enamel remains intact. Furthermore, the retailer's signature is present above the 60 seconds register at 6 o'clock. Walser, Wald Y Cia was a retailer in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the time, it was one of Patek Philippe's most prominent retailers in South America.

    The inside of the case back reveals an even more compelling story. It is inscribed "Al Diputado Nacional Benito E. Martinez SUS Amigos Politicos de la VIth Seccion Electoral Pcia Bs As 31-5-1938". Given the case and dial design one would assume the watch sat uncased for over twenty years until its sale on February 11, 1938. It seems that this watch was a gift from the National Deputy's friends, celebrating a moment in Argentinian politics. Research shows that Benito E Martinez was very active in Argentinian politics in the early 20th century, eventually holding a Deputy position in the 6th Section of the Province of Buenos Aires, representing the Conservative party.

    As an even nicer touch, the original presentation box not only bears the Patek Philippe name, but also Walser Wald y Cia.

  • 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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A rare, large and attractive yellow gold chronograph openface pocketwatch with two-tone sector dial, pulsations scale, presentation inscription to Benito E. Martinez and box, retailed by Walser Wald

1910
50mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed by retailer Walser Wald

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€12,900-21,400
$15,900-26,500

Sold for CHF18,750

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

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018