Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 80

Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 864470, case No. 635565, movement No. 864470, Ref. 1591. Made in 1944, delivered on November 27, 1944, to Favre Leuba & Co. Unique and extremely important astronomical, water-resistant, indirect center seconds, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phases. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.

CHF 1 - 1

EUR 1 - 1

C. two-body, solid, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back, polished bezel, scroll lugs, dust-protecting cap. D. silver with Arabic tritium-coated numerals, auxiliary dial for the seconds and the days of the month, aperture for the days of the week, the months and the moon phases. Blued steel tritium-coated skeleton hands. M. Cal. 12'''-120, stamped with Geneva Quality Hallmark, rhodium-plated, "fausses-côtes" decoration, 20 jewels, lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance-spring, micrometer regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 35 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3 - 6 - 01

Notes

Ref. 1591 Only two examples were ever produced of this reference, the present watch in stainless steel, and one in yellow gold. This watch, bearing the number No. 864470, is chronologically the first, as the gold example bears the No. 864471. The present watch is also particularly impressive for the sobriety of its design. The combination of the indirect-seconds mechanism with the perpetual calendar and moon phases is an original concept of Patek Philippe. Favre-Leuba was an important manufacturer and retailer in India, with distribution networks in the most important Indian cities. This watch was probably ordered for an important Indian or Pakistani customer (India and Pakistan being united at the time). Similar watches are published in "Collecting Patek Philippe Watches" by M. and O. Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore, Genova, 2000, pp. 45-46-107-110.