Patek Philippe - Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers Geneva Friday, November 8, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1981
    Reference No: 881
    Movement No: 866'707
    Case No: 332'922
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 17", 29 jewels
    Dimensions: 52mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed Gübelin.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1981 and its subsequent sale on Jan 7, 1982.

  • Catalogue Essay

    It is thanks to retailers such as Gübelin, whose signature is proudly displayed on the dial, that traditional watchmaking crafts are still alive today.

    In the early 1980s, amidst the quartz crisis affecting the Swiss watchmaking industry, there were still retailers who would commission high complication pieces from brands who had maintained the expertise to make them for collectors with the passion to buy them. As such, the know-how was never lost.

    This is why the present reference 881 stands out amongst this era’s production. Not only is it a highly complicated mechanical masterpiece, but its ultimate audacity resides in the fact that it is a pocketwatch.
    The reference 881 was made in extremely low numbers during the 1980s and featured a minute repeater, perpetual calendar with phases of the moon, and a 24-hour indicator.

    Even though it is a pocketwatch, the look and feel of this timepiece is resolutely modern with its large legible subdials for calendar indications. The beautifully hand decorated movement can be admired through the sapphire caseback.

    The chimes are crisp, clear and delightfully pleasing to the ear as one can expect from Patek Philippe.

    Only 5 reference 881 models are known. The present example, fresh to the market, is the only one known with Gübelin signature.

    With its combination of a minute repeater and perpetual calendar, Patek Philippe’s most sought after complications, this exceptionally rare pocket watch is a true trophy for the world’s most important collections.

  • 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. 881
An extremely rare and highly attractive yellow gold hunter case minute repeating perpetual calendar pocketwatch with moonphases and 24-hour indication

1981
52mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed Gübelin.

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 80,000 
€36,700-73,400
$40,200-80,500

Sold for CHF62,500

Contact Specialist
Virginie Liatard-Roessli
Specialist, Head of Sale
+41 76 338 91 03
vliatard@phillips.com

Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers

Geneva Auction 9 November 2019