The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wrist...

Geneva, May 14, 2006

LOT 800

?Montre de Prêt? Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 975289, case No. 508366, Ref. 1544. Produced in 1953, sold on September 22, 1953. Extremely rare and unusual rectangular curved, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.

CHF 16,000 - 20,000

EUR 10,000 - 13,000 / USD 12,000 - 15,000

Sold: CHF 25,960

C. Two-body, polished and brushed, sharp angles, lapidated bezel, hooded lugs in two parts, flat top crystal. D. Matte silver with applied steel Arabic numerals and painted indexes, subsidiary "guilloché" sunk seconds. Steel "Feuille" hands. M. Cal. 9'''-90, tonneau, rhodium-plated, ?fausses-cotes? decoration, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, Gyromax balance, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, micrometer regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 22 x 28 mm. Height 7,5 mm. To be sold without reserve.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

?Montres de prêt? were lent by the manufacturers to their clients, to be used when their watches were in repair. These watches were often cased in stainless steel, due to its durability. To our knowledge, this is the first example of Ref. 1544 in stainlesssteel to appear at auction. A similar watch in "Collecting Patek Philippe Watches" by M. and O. Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore, Genova 2001, p. 168.