Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 346

Patek, Philippe & Cie., Genève, No. 28602, made in 1866, sold in September 1868. Fine and very rare 18K gold and enamel half-hunting keyless miniature watch.

CHF 6,500 - 8,500

EUR 4,400 - 5,700 / USD 5,000 - 6,600

C. Five-body, "Bassine", back with translucent blue and red enamel initials "MM", front with aperture and champlevé blue Roman numerals with inner minute track, gold hinged cuvette.D. White enamel, snap-on with gold ring, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 18 mm (8'''), cal. 17AB, frosted gilt, cylinder escapement, three-arm gilt balance with flat balance spring, wolf-tooth winding wheels, very rare 3B winding system.Signed on the cuvette and punched with Patek Philippe trademark inside front cover, movement and case punched with the same serial number.Diam. 23 mm


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

This is one of the earliest keyless Patek Philippe miniature watches known. Just a few earlier are known. This one however, is the only half-hunting known. Moreover, it employs a very rare 3B Philippe winding system, a transition between the famous 3rd system and 5th. The 3rd system was with sliding pinion, such as this one and with a so called "castle" frame. Here, the frame is abandoned in favor of U-prong lever embracing the winding pinion, which is an integral part of the stem as in the 3rd system. This is the invention of the setting lever, indispensable in most modern setting mechanisms. This lever acts on another spring-loaded lever, called return lever, or yoke in America, which characterized Patek Philippe winding systems for the next 100 years. We known of only one other watch with this transitional system and it is an 18 ligne pocket watch, versus this one which is a miniature. For a short history of miniaturization see note to lot 153.