Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1964 Reference No: 928 Movement No: 873'688 Case No: 1'254 Material: Gilt brass Calibre: Photo-electric cell, cal. 17'''250, 29 jewels Dimensions: 143mm Height, 140mm Width, 90mm Length Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1964 with silvered dial plate, lapped indexes in gilt brass and its subsequent sale on October 16, 1965.
Catalogue Essay
In 1948, Patek Philippe inaugurated its Electronic Division, with the goal of innovating photoelectric and electronic timekeeping technology. In 1955, the firm showcased a solar-powered photoelectric clock at the World Symposium.
Fresh to the auction market, the present clock from 1963 merges state-of-the-art technology from the 1960s with the best of mechanical watchmaking. A large solar panel on the top of the case supplies energy to a storage device within which in turn transmits energy to power the movement. A battery system is also provided for back up, further illustrating how intelligent and ahead of its time this clock was.
This clock, in overall excellent condition, successfully displays great technical innovation and futuristic timeless design, and would be a great addition to enhance any interior. It is furthermore accompanied by its original fitted presentation box.
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.