Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Geneva, May 10, 2025
LOT 499
PATEK PHILIPPE & CIE. FOR GUBELIN, SWITZERLAND, REF. 898, TIR FEDERAL SCHUTZENFEST, NUMBER 1/100, LIMITED EDITION ‘’WILLIAM TELL’’, 18K YELLOW GOLD
CHF 20,000 - 40,000
HKD 190,000 - 380,000 / USD 24,500 - 48,900 / EUR 21,500 - 43,000
A very fine and very rare, 18k gold, manual wind hunting-cased keyless pocket watch with original relief case decoration by Hans Erni. Made in a limited edition of 100 pieces to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Lucerne Tir Federal Schuetzenfest in 1979.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
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Case: 1-8 |
As new Slightly scratched |
Movement: 1* |
As new Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Brand Patek Philippe & Cie. for Gubelin, Switzerland
Model TIR FEDERAL SCHUTZENFEST
Reference 898
Year Sold in August 1979
Movement No. 932746
Case No. 544080
Diameter 48 mm.
Caliber Cal. 17-170, stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator
Signature Dial, case and movement
Accessories Original box, certificate and invoice
Notes
Reference 898 (1979) – Patek Philippe
Reference 898, introduced in 1979 by Patek Philippe, was the first limited-edition watch produced by the Geneva-based manufacture. This pocket watch was specially created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Federal Shooting Festival in Lucerne, a major event in Swiss marksmanship.
Its case features an engraving of William Tell, an iconic figure in Swiss history, symbolizing independence and national pride. This artistic choice strengthens the connection between Swiss watchmaking and its cultural heritage.
Hans Erni (Lucerne 1909-2015)
A Swiss painter and sculptor. Born in Lucerne, he is known in particular for illustrating postage stamps, activism, lithographs for the Swiss Red Cross, and participation on the Olympic Committee. The Hans Erni House in the Lucerne Transportation Museum contains a large collection of artwork.
The Schützenfest (German "marksmen's festival")
It's an annual traditional event celebrated in the Northwest regions of Germany, Bavaria, and Switzerland. It is a kind of fair featuring a shooting match among members of the local marksmen's association and usually takes place in summer. At a Schützenfest, contestants prove their shooting ability, for example by aiming at a wooden eagle. The winner becomes the 'Schützenkönig' ("king of marksmen") until the following year's competition.
Literature:
For other examples of Tir Federal watches see: "Swiss Shooting and Historical Watches, I-VIII", Jean L. Martin, Lausanne. Gold Patek Philippe, Martin, III-520, VII-772 Gold Lausanne 1989, Ibid. IV-595 Gold Fribourg 1934, Ibid. I-81, VII-774 Silver Frauenfeld 1890, Ibid. I-160, VIII-827 Silver Zurich, 1907, Ibid. I-218, VI-761
Hans Erni (Lucerne 1909-2015)
A Swiss painter and sculptor. Born in Lucerne, he is known in particular for illustrating postage stamps, activism, lithographs for the Swiss Red Cross, and participation on the Olympic Committee. The Hans Erni House in the Lucerne Transportation Museum contains a large collection of artwork.
The Schützenfest (German "marksmen's festival")
It's an annual traditional event celebrated in the Northwest regions of Germany, Bavaria, and Switzerland. It is a kind of fair featuring a shooting match among members of the local marksmen's association and usually takes place in summer. At a Schützenfest, contestants prove their shooting ability, for example by aiming at a wooden eagle. The winner becomes the 'Schützenkönig' ("king of marksmen") until the following year's competition.
Literature:
For other examples of Tir Federal watches see: "Swiss Shooting and Historical Watches, I-VIII", Jean L. Martin, Lausanne. Gold Patek Philippe, Martin, III-520, VII-772 Gold Lausanne 1989, Ibid. IV-595 Gold Fribourg 1934, Ibid. I-81, VII-774 Silver Frauenfeld 1890, Ibid. I-160, VIII-827 Silver Zurich, 1907, Ibid. I-218, VI-761