Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1956 Reference No: 3086/23 Movement No: 948'366 Case No: 2'600'811 Material: Platinum, diamonds and emeralds Calibre: Mechanical, 7'', 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Platinum, diamond and emerald-set Patek Philippe bracelet, 160 mm. maximum length Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Patek Philippe concealed clasp with security clasps Dimensions: 24 mm. wide with dial concealed Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Certificate d'Origine et de Garantie and fitted presentation box. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the present watch is set with 115 emeralds weighing approximately 8.99 carats, 94 baton-cut diamonds weighing approximately 14.43 carats and 104 diamonds weighing approximately 5.40 carats in 1956 and its subsequent sale on 10 September 1957. Provenance: Art of Patek Philippe, Legendary Watches, Antiquorum, Geneva, November 14th 1999 lot 604.
Provenance
Art of Patek Philippe, Legendary Watches, Antiquorum, Geneva, November 14th 1999 lot 604.
Catalogue Essay
In like-new condition, this highly decorated and important platinum diamond and emerald-set watch has hardly ever been worn. Its exceptional design, quality, provenance and the presence of its original certificate and box render this precious stone-set bracelet watch one of the most important lady's Patek Philippe bracelet watches to be offered in years.
Patek Philippe, founded in 1839 is generally associated with manufacturing the most important complicated wristwatches. However, not as commonly acknowledged are the magnificent masterpieces made for lady’s. The following lot, manufactured in 1956 is an incredible example and illustrates perfectly how the firm far exceeds expectations when it comes to all manners of horology.
Cased in platinum, lavishly set with diamonds and emeralds, the watch is preserved in pristine condition, having hardly ever been used. To complement the importance further, the watch still retains its original certificate and box.
Purchased at the legendary Patek Philippe 1999 theme auction in Geneva, the watch has remained in the same important collection and is truly a superlative masterpiece.
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.
Ref. 3086/23 A lady's beautiful and extremely rare platinum, diamond and emerald-set bracelet watch with original certificate and fitted presentation box
1956 24 mm. wide with dial concealed Case, dial and movement signed