World Time by Louis Cottier The World Time system was invented circa 1935 by Louis Cottier (1894-1966), famous independent watchmaker in Geneva. This World Time system was used by Patek Philippe and also by other major names in the Swiss watch industry, such as Agassiz, Rolex and Vacheron Constantin. He worked on his invention for several years and finally filed a patent for it. - Movement, case and dial based on the Swiss invention patent No. 270 085, delivered on February 4, 1948, to Louis Cottier, Carouge-Geneva, for a “Montre universelle”. Over time, he developed this invention to make a clock with Universal Time, that remained in the prototype state because no model seems to have been put into production. - Movement for a clock based on the Swiss invention patent No. 273 141, delivered on July 7, 1948, to Louis Cottier, Carouge-Geneva, for a “Pièce d’horlogerie universelle”. - Movement for a clock based on the Swiss invention patent No. 285 376, delivered on June 28, 1949, to Louis Cottier, Carouge-Geneva, for a “Pièce d’horlogerie universelle” (additional patent to the previous). Patek Philippe “World Timers” Patek Philippe created various series of “World Timers” and the earliest known is a probably unique rectangular “galbé” pink gold model, Ref. 515, made in 1937: - Antiquorum, Geneva, April 10, 1994, lot 502, for the amount of CHF 550 000.- (US$ 388 560.-). From 1937 until about 1940, Patek Philippe used the “World Time” movement in various types of cases. Ref. 542 (Ø 28 mm.), of which only 4 examples are known to-date: - Antiquorum, Geneva, October 17, 1993, lot 431, for the amount of CHF 121 000.- (US$ 81 700.-). - Antiquorum, Geneva, October 15-16, 1994, lot 608, for the amount of CHF 110 000.- (US$ 87 300.-). - Antiquorum, Geneva, April 10, 1994, lot 500, for the amount of CHF 231 000.- (US$ 164 200.-), with unusual bezel and hands. Ref. 96 Calatrava, which appears to be a unique example, made in 1939. Around 1939-1940 began the production of the series Ref. 1415 (drop-shaped lugs), together with three examples of the Ref. 1416 (straight “claw” lugs), both references with a diameter of 31 mm. and on the revolving bezel the names of 30 cities of the world. In 1940, Patek Philippe created, especially for Dr. P. Schmidt, a unique “World Time” chronograph (Ref. 1415-1) wristwatch, in yellow gold, with square push-buttons and the names of 33 cities of the world: - Antiquorum, Geneva, October 15-16, 1994, lot 516, for the amount of CHF 990 000.- (US$ 785 714.-), setting at the time a World Record. Bibliographie Huber, Martin, & Banbery, Alan, Patek Philippe Wristwatches, 1998, p. 270 and front cover. Patek Philippe "World Timers" From 1940 onwards, Patek Philippe produced "World Timers" in three main series which include dress-watches (Ref. 605, circa 1940-1960's), some with a matt silvered dial or black dial and others with a cloisonné enamel dial; and, wristwatches, with one crown (Ref. 1415, circa 1939-1950's), and two crowns (Ref. 2523 and Ref. 2523-1, circa 1953-1965), some with a matt silvered or gilt dial, some with a guilloché (or engine-turned) dial, some with an enamel dial and some with a cloisonné enamel dial. On the revolving bezel of the Ref. 1415; the name of 41 cities of the world. On the revolving ring dial of the Ref. 2523; the name of 40 cities of the world. Patek Philippe, Reference 1415 This reference is launched in 1941 and remained in production until circa 1952-1954. Only around 110 examples were produced. The watch is fitted with the Cal. 12-120. Bibliography Huber, Martin, & Banbery, Alan, Patek Philippe Wristwatches, 1998, p. 243, ill. 376 a-b, p. 245, ill. 381 and drawing by David Penney. Le Palais Royal, Havana (Cuba) Havana's grand architecture and influx of international visitors in the early 20th century earned the city the nickname "the Paris of the Caribbean". Such was its cultural importance that great international intellects of the time chose to call the city home, most notably Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961). In this period of prosperity, Le Palais Royal catered to the well-heeled elite of the city and became a major retailer for Patek Philippe. Just ten years following the sale of this highly important Patek Philippe watch, Cuban society would undergo radical transformation in its Revolution. It can well be theorised that the present lot was one of the last complicated Patek Philippe watches to be sold in Cuba, and perhaps one of the most important pieces to bear this retailer's name.