Important Watches, Collectors’ Wristw...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004

LOT 453

?The Death of Poniatowski? Patek i Czapek w Genewie, No. 545, made in 1842, sold on October 22, 1842. Exceptionally fine, large, 18K gold, hunting-cased, keyless quarter-repeating watch with ruby duplex escapement and Audemars winding and setting system. Accompanied by Extract from the Archives.

CHF 50,000 - 70,000

EUR 30,000 - 45,000 / USD 40,000 - 55,000

Sold: CHF 149,250

C. Five-body, ?Empire?, the front engraved with General Kosciuszko taking the oath, the back engraved with the death of Prince Poniatowski, reeded band, gold hinged cuvette engraved with a count's crown surmounting initials, front cover opening pushbutton in unusual 5 o'clock position. D. Silver, matte, radial champlevé Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, center engraved with Polish coat of arms. M. 44 mm (20'''), gilt brass, bridge caliber, going barrel, 20 jewels, ruby duplex escapement with ruby impulse pallet, gilt three-arm balance, blued steel flat balance spring, double compensating curb, Audemars winding and setting mechanism with mode-switching bolt on the band at 2 o'clock, repeating on gongs through activating slide in the band. Signed on the movement, movement and case stamped with the same number.Diam. 53 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The workmanship of the watch, finished by Franciszek Czapek himself, is exquisite. Czapek jeweled both going and repeating trains, installed a ruby duplex escapement and mounted a double compensating curb. The ebauche was fit with Audemars' keyless winding and setting mechanism, a demonstration of Antoine Patek's bold idea of transforming key-wound watches into keyless watches. This watch was made during the third year of the company's existence, at which time they made approximately 200 watches per year. Audemars keyless winding and setting system Although keyless winding has a long history, it was only between 1820 and 1844 that a system allowing for stem winding and setting was developed. The key figures were Breguet, Ingold, Audemars, and later Adrien Philippe. In 1838 Hector Audemars, a son of Louis, became known for his keyless winding/setting system. Audemars supplied it to Patek, Bautte, Jurgensen and others. According to Martin Huber and Alan Banbery in their book ?Patek Philippe Genève?, Audemars made only 41 such systems for Patek, of which only 6 examples are known to have survived two in the Patek Philippe Museum, three in a private American Collection and the present watch. The system, though reliable, is complicated. Philippe's system, equally reliable, is simpler and consequently became dominant. The Patek et Czapek company was created on May 1, 1839 in Geneva and was dissolved on May 1, 1845. That same day Patek established a partnership with Philippe and Gostkowski and Czapek with Mr. Gruzewski. 1832 Czapek opens a watchmaking firm in partnership with Moreau called Czapek et Moreau. 1839 The company closes and the partners join with Antoine Patek Moreau as a silent partner, Patek marrying Moreau's niece. The company' s namEPatek et Czapek. 1845 Patek splits with Czapek and forms a new company, Patek et C.ie with Philippe & Gostkowski. 1845 Czapek establishes a new company with partner Gruzewski, called Czapek et Co.