Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1990
    Reference No: 3992
    Movement No: 1'195'733
    Case No: 2'867'241
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240, 27 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 33mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed by maker, dial further signed by retailer
    Accessories: Accompanied by undated Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped by Tiffany, product literature and leather document holder. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1990 and its subsequent sale on August 30, 1990.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 3992 fully encapsulated the traditional Patek Philippe values of understated elegance. Its elegantly sized 33mm case with simple downturned lugs is granted flair by the hobnail (aka “Clous-de-Paris”) bezel. It was in production for a relatively short time - for a “classical” time only Patek Philippe piece - of 12 years from 1988 to 2000 and it was available in pink and yellow gold.

    Beyond its remarkable condition and the presence of the original Certificate, the highlight of the piece is undoubtedly the proud Tiffany & Co. signature present at 6 o’clock. Close examination of the retailer’s signature shows a difference in quality with the Patek Philippe signature. This is because at the time Tiffany themselves would stamp dials in their NY headquarter, a “tradition” that got interrupted when Patek decided to co-brand the watches themselves, in order indeed to maintain the same quality across all graphics. As a result, Tiffany pieces stamped by Tiffany in NY - rather than by Patek Philippe in Geneva - now embody a bygone era and offer an additional level of intrigue to the expert collector.

  • 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. 3992
An elegant and exquisite yellow gold wristwatch with hobnail bezel and certificate, retailed by Tiffany & Co.

1990
33mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed by maker, dial further signed by retailer

Estimate
CHF10,000 - 15,000 
€10,300-15,400
$10,000-15,000

Sold for CHF18,900

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022