Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 08, 2014

LOT 609

PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 715/8 WATCH WITH UNIQUE ENAMEL MINIATURE OF A PEONY AND FLOWER BOUQUET BY J. PELLARIN-LEROY Patek Philippe, Genève, movement No. 893314, case No. 432824, Ref. 715/8. The miniature by J. Pellarin-Leroy. Made in 1969, sold on August 11th, 1975. Extremely fine and unique, 18K yellow gold, keyless dress watch with exceptional polychrome painted on enamel miniature of flowers.

CHF 25,000 - 45,000

HKD 215,000 - 300,000 / USD 26,500 - 47,000

Sold: CHF 123,750

Two-body, bassine, polished, the back decorated with a painted on enamel miniature of flowers including peonies. Matte silver with applied yellow gold faceted baton indexes, outer engraved dot minute divisions, subsidiary seconds. Yellow gold dauphine hands. Cal. 17''' 140, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold isochronisms and 5 positions, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1*

As new

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

Dial, case and movement signed, the enamel signed J. Pellarin-Leroy. DIAM. 47 mm. The Extract from the Archives confirms the manufacture of this watch in 1969 and the painted enamel of flowers on the case back. The enamel miniature by J. Pellarin-Leroy is extremely well executed in beautiful pastel shades. Along with Suzanne Rohr and M. Bischoff, Pellarin-Leroy was one of the finest enamellists working for Patek Philippe in the second-half of the 20th century, her work is very sought after by collectors and she was also one of the artists that was entrusted to make the enamel panels for the solar dome clocks. It is interesting that the case backs of the unique enamel watches by Patek Philippe are of very heavy- gauge gold. This is to provide a very solid base for the enamel during the several firings required at very high temperatures, the THICKNESS of the gold reduced the incidences of damage occurring during firing as the gold was less likely to warp than a gold of thinner gauge. The thicker gold back also eliminates the need for a counter-enamel on the interior.