Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1966 Reference No: 855/1 Movement No: 1'135'101 Case No: 432'364 Model Name: Flying Saucer Material: 18k yellow gold, with 18k white gold diamond-set bezel Calibre: Manual, cal. 175, 18 jewels Dimensions: 42mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied with Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with diamonds in 1966 and its subsequent sale on January 20th, 1967
Catalogue Essay
The reference 855 “Flying Saucer” was inspired by the work of Patek Philippe’s genius designer Gilbert Albert. The extra thin case with knife edge is reminiscent of the 1960s and early 1970s space race. The two-piece case by Eggly & Cie with knife edge accommodates the flat small caliber 175 giving the watch a feel of the fictional space ships seen in early television programming. In production from 1964 until 1971, the watch was made in yellow and white gold, along with platinum, and was sold like the present watch with a diamond-set or with a plain bezel. Additionally, there Patek Philippe produced a limited edition yellow gold example made and personalized for IOS (Investors Overseas Services, Ltd). The present watch, from 1966, remains in excellent overall condition and is a fine example of the innovative and creative design options released by Patek Philippe during the mid-20th century.
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.