Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces.
Geneva, Mar 21, 2020
LOT 30
PATEK PHILIPPE, POCKET CHRONOMETER, YELLOW GOLD
CHF 9,300 - 12,500
USD 9,300 - 12,500 / HKD 72,500 - 97,000
Very fine and rare, 18K yellow gold, open-face, keyless-winding, roundshaped, pocket chronometer, with subsidiary seconds at 6. The certificate mentioned that this watch was sold on November 7, 1913. Case-back engraved in taille-douce (fine cut) with the cypher “A R”. Cuvette (dome) engraved with the name of the original owner “ Armand Rolloy ”. Movement based on the French invention patent No. 142 376, delivered on April 16, 1881, to Jean-Adrien Philippe (1815-1894), Geneva, for a “régulateur de precision” (precision-regulating device for fast / slow by means of an eccentric snail). Movement also based on the Swiss invention patent No. 2 680, delivered on September 27 1890, to Patek, Philippe & Cie, Geneva, for a “Remontoir avec mise à l’heure perfectionné” (the definitive version of the keylesswinding and setting device), and, on the US design patent No. 20 483, delivered on January 13, 1891, to Adrien Philippe, Geneva, for a “Watch bridges for Watch-Movements”. The certificate mentioned that this watch was sold on November 7, 1913.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 2 |
Very good |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Brand Patek Philippe, Geneva
Model Pocket Chronometer with First Class Bulletin de marche from the Astronomical Observatory of Geneva
Year Sold on November 7th, 1913
Numbers 268129
Caliber 18''', "Extra Quality", brass-Invar Guillaume balance with gold and platinum poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve, diamond end-stone, index regulator with swan-neck spring and micrometric screw, adjusted by Charles Batifolier (1867-1924), Geneva no. 153538
Dimensions 49,5 mm.
Signature dial, case and movement
Accessories original fitted box, certificate of origin, copy of the Bulletin de marche of the Astronomical Observatory of Geneva (dated November 9, 1993), Extract from the Archives
Notes
When destined for Observatory Timing Contests, the movements of Patek Philippe watches, like those of other makers, were double engraved with the movement serial Numbers .
The inscription "Extra" on the bridge of the movement refers to the high finishing of all the parts of the movement. This movement, of the highest quality for a watch without horological complications, is fitted with a precision Guillaume balance, with gold and platinum poising screws, and has been tested in eight positions. It has a diamond end- stone and a patented micrometric regulator.
Observatory
At the timing contest organised in 1911-1912 at the Astronomical Observatory of Geneva, this Chronometer was awarded a First Class Bulletin, with a mention Second prize.
It was ranked 11 out of 102, with 787 points on a possible total of 1000 (classified with more than 600 marks).
The first obtained 866 points and the last classified 600 points.
Patek Philippe and Chronometry
The first-rate trials for watches at the Geneva Observatory were carried out as early as 1790 and 1792, but until 1873, they were sporadic affairs and of no significance. Towards the second half of the 19th century, it was realised that the adoption of its own internationally recognised testing standard, could be a positive influence on the watch industry of the Canton of Geneva. And so, in 1873, the first annual Chronometer competition at the Geneva Observatory was organised.
According to Huber & Banbery (1993, p. 85), the archives reveal that Patek Philippe & and 230.14 marks respectively.
Between 1897 and 1899, for four years, Patek Philippe refused to participated to the timing contest.
In the period between 1900 and 1939, the firm took 764 prizes for results achieved at the Geneva Observatory, of which 187 were first places. This represented over half of the total number of distinctions awarded.