Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Milano, Hotel Principe Di Savoia, Nov 30, 1992

LOT 160

Patek i Spolka, w Genewie, No. 1388, case No. 1388, begun in December 1845, sold on the 22 December 1852. Rare and fine 18 ct. gold and enamel, hunting cased, early keyless historical watch.

ITL 25,000 - 30,000

USD 19,000 - 23,000

Sold: ITL 41,400

C. Four body, "forme quatre baguettes", with reeded band, the cover with the enamelled portrait"en grisaille" of Kosciuszko, the back with that of Poniatovski, outer foliage decoration over a black ground ( slightly restored) and further engraved scrolled decoration. Gold cuvette. engine-turned on the border. D. White enamel with Roman numerals. Blued steel fancy hands. M. 17-, gilt brass, 10 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain brass three arm balance, flat balance spring. First stem-wind designed by Adrien Philippe, French patent No. 1317 of 22 April 1845. Signed on the cuvette. In good condition. Diam. 45 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Notes

This watch is among the earliest known, set with the first patented stem winding divice, invented by Adrien Philippe. It is illus trated and described in the Patek Philippe book by M. Huber and A. Bambery, page 67. Although both, Prince Poniatowski and Thadeus Kosciuszko were deceased by the time the watch was made, their importance in Polish history was sufficient for their memory to be celebrated. Manufacture was begun in December 1845, and the watch would therefore have been completed in time for the 50th anniversary of Kosciuszko's insurrection against the Russians, in which cause he was greatly aided by Poniatowski. In view of the firm's Polish connections in its early years, the creation of such a watch is not surprising. Brief biographies are here included. This watch is among the earliest known, set with the first patented stem winding divice, invented by Adrien Philippe. It is illus trated and described in the Patek Philippe book by M. Huber and A. Bambery, page 67. Although both, Prince Poniatowski and Thadeus Kosciuszko were deceased by the time the watch was made, their importance in Polish history was sufficient for their memory to be celebrated. Manufacture was begun in December 1845, and the watch would therefore have been completed in time for the 50th anniversary of Kosciuszko's insurrection against the Russians, in which cause he was greatly aided by Poniatowski. In view of the firm's Polish connections in its early years, the creation of such a watch is not surprising. Brief biographies are here included.