Exceptional horologic works of art

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Oct 11, 2003

LOT 220

Patek, Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 170434, case No. 274716, made in 1912, sold to the U.S. Naval Observatory on December 8, 1917. Extremely fine silver deck lever chronometer "EXTRA" adjusted by Master Adjuster J. Golay-Audemars for the 1913 Geneva Observatory Timing Contest, where it was awarded an “Honorable Mention”, with 36-hour power reserve indicator and Guillaume balance. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives and a copy of the Geneva Observatory records.

CHF 20,000 - 25,000

EUR 13,000 - 16,000

Sold: CHF 21,850

C. Four-body, "bassine", polished, silver hinged cuvette. D. Heavy solid silver, bold champlevé radial Roman numerals, outer champlevé minute track, champlevé up-and-down sector at 12 o'clock, champlevé subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 47 mm. (21'''), patented Cal. 180, 20 jewels, straight line calibrated lever escapement, Anibal-brass Guillaume balance with "winged" arms, gold temperature adjustment screws and platinum mean time ones, special alloy Breguet balance spring inner and outer terminal curves, diamond endstone, "swan-neck" micrometric regulator. Signed on dial, case and movement. Diam. 60 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

The US Naval Observatory had very high standards for their watches and ordered only the best. Large movements with 180, and sometimes, but rarely, with 18H calibers, were made to the highest possible standards. They were specially adjusted by such masters as Henri Wehrli, J. Golay-Audemars, F. Modoux, and C. Batifolier, who were the best paid workers in the watch industry. Watches adjusted by them, especially those awarded prizes at Observatory Contests, were several times more expensive than the regular ones. The present watch is exceptionally well made, adjusted for the Observatory Contest, where it was awarded an Honorable Mention. Every detail, such as the special Guillaume balance with small “wings” at the arm for poising “in the raw”, before the screws are put in, which assures that temperature compensation adjustment will not affect poising, superior polish of the steel parts, olive jewel holes, and the very light undercut escape wheel with raised teeth, shows that the watch was a special one. For a note on Anibal, see lot 134.