100 Years of Wristwatches
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 19, 2000
LOT 224
Extremely fine and probably unique prototype of an asymmetrical, rhomboid, 18K yellow gold gentleman'swristwatch. Accompanied by an 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle.
CHF 80,000 - 100,000
USD 45,000 - 55,000
C. two-body, rhomboid, solid, polished, stepped sides. D. rhomboid, matte silver with painted indexes. 'Bâton'yellow gold hands. M. 23-300, stamped with the Geneva Quality Hallmark, extra-flat, rhodium plated, 'faussescôtes' decoration, 18 jewels, lever escapement, Giromax balance adjusted for heat, cold isochronism and 5positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Dim. 31 x 27 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3 |
Good |
Dial: 3 - 6 - 01 |
Notes
This watch is a prototype and was never produced in series.Gilbert Albertis a renowned jewelry designer and artist from Gene va. At the age of 24, in 1955, he worked for Patek Philippe ,applying his innovative talents to the design of wristwatch cases. He broke away from traditional shapes, introducingasymmetrical triangles and rhombic forms, inspired by his passion for modern sculpture and works by his favoriteartists, such as Brancusi and Mondrian. He also introduced textured organic surfaces on the asymmetrical shapesdesigned for the Patek Philippe 'Ricochet' collection. Ho wever, many of his more r evolutionary designs of that timeremained as prototypes and were not produced in a series. From 1962, Gilbert Albert established his own workshop,designing and producing je welry under his own name. Over the year s, he became very successful, both in Gene va andinternationally, receiving numerous awards for his jewelry. Gilbert Albert's creations are exhibited worldwide.Creations of Gilbert Albert, Ref. 3412-3413 (prototypes) and 3422-3424 (current production) are illustrated in 'PatekPhilippe Wristwatches', by MARTIN HUBER and ALAN BANBER Y, 1998 Edition, pp. 78, 163, 187 and 188 and in theThematic Sale 'The Art of Patek Philippe', Antiquorum Geneva, April 9, 1989, pp. 45, 103 and 263.