Important Watches, Collector's Wrist...

Hong Kong, Jun 08, 2001

LOT 502

Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 863473, case No. 636428, Ref. 1518, sold to King Farouk.Very fine and important astronomic, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with square button chronograph, register and tachometer, perpetual calendar and moon phases. Accompanied by an 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe articulated and linked bracelet. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives

HKD 800,000 - 1,000,000

USD 100,000 - 130,000

Sold: HKD 922,000

C. three-body, solid, polished, concave bezel and lugs, case back engraved with a crown and the initial "F".D. matte silver with applied gold Arabic numerals and round indexes, auxiliary seconds and 30 minutes register dials, graduation for the days of the month, outer tachometer graduation, apertures for the days of the week, the months and the moon phases. Yellow gold "feuille" hands. M. 13''' rhodium plated, ?fausses côtes? decoration, 23 jewels, lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, 8 adjustments, Breguet balance-spring, micrometer regulator.Dial, case, and movement signed.Diam. 35 mm. Without reserve


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Grading System
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Ref. 1518Produced in 281 examples from 1941 to 1954, in yellow gold, in pink gold, and only three examples known to date in stainless steel.- First series with applied gold Arabic numerals from 1941 to 1954.- Second series presented at the Basel Fair in 1942 with enameled hour indexes, the 12 in applied gold Arabic numerals.- Third series with applied gold indexes, the 12 in applied gold Arabic numerals.- Fourth series with applied gold "Bâton" indexes.A similar watch is published in "Patek Philippe Genève, Wristwatches?, by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, 1998, Patek Philippe S.A., p. 303.King Farouk I (1920-1965), King of EgyptBorn in Cairo in 1920, Farouk was the son and successor of King Fouad. Farouk was still under age, and accordingly a regency council was formed of Prince Mohammad Ali, Aziz Ezzat Pasha and Sherif Sabry Pasha to run the scene until his constitutional powers were completely handed over to him in July 1937. His reign lasted 15 years but in July 1952, under the pressure of the army's revolution led by Mohammad Nagib (1901-1984), King Farouk was forced to abdicate the throne to his son Ahmad Fouad IIwho was a child then (born 1952). The abdication document was signed in Ras El Teen Palace on July 26, 1952, and Farouk left Egypt for Europe. The Republic was declared in Egypt on June 18, 1953. King Farouk died in Rome in 1965 and was buried in Egypt in El Refai mosque.In exile in Europe, Farouk was a well-known figure in all the most fashionable places. He had also become a firmly established collector, particularly of small, applied arts objects. Among his extensive collection of objects of vertu, including several Fabergé creations, was a range of watches, primarily enameled examples, from 1780 to 1820, with music, with automata and sometimes with erotic scenes. He also favored watches made for the Turkish or Far Eastern markets and was fond of modern watchs, whether pocket or wristwatches, by the most prestigious makers. Whenever he had to present a gift, it would often be a watch.