Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 345

Patek, Philippe & Cie., Genève, No. 75322, circa 1890. Very fine and exceptionally rare 18K gold and enamel, pearl-set, keyless, "Boule de Genève" watch, suspended from a matching brooch.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

EUR 17,000 - 20,000 / USD 19,000 - 23,000

Sold: CHF 55,200

C. Spherical, three-body, entirely set with split pearls, revolving pearl-set bezel winding the watch. Pearl-set brooch with five graduated links, each link in the form of a star, double pin. D. By Pierre Reymond, white enamel with upright black Arabic numerals, the figure "12" in red, outer minute track, secured by two small screws at 2 and 8 o'clock. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 17.6 mm. (8'''), Cal. 7L, frost gilt, cylinder escapement, three-arm brass balance with flat balance spring, woundby means of the revolving bezel.Diam. 21 mm., length with the brooch 53 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

Patek Philippe began making ball-shaped watches in the 1870s. In the beginning they were stem-wound, usually with cylinder escapements, some in silver cases. With time, they were finished more and more lavishly. Some were destined for exhibitions. At the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, Patek Philippe presented a ball watch with a movement like this one. When Marius LeCoultre of Geneva invented the revolving bezel winding system patented 12 January, 1889, Swiss patent o. 114 Patek Philippe implemented it, creating some of the best ''Boule de Genève" watches ever produced, this being one of them. The dial for the watch was made by one of the best Swiss dial makers of the period, Pierre Reymond, to whom Patek Philippe entrusted the dials of some of their most important pieces.