Prestigious Wristwatches

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 595

Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 789202, case No. 2615186, Ref. 3412. Designed by Gilbert Albert,made in 1959.Extremely rare and very fine prototype, never produced, of an asymmetric, rhomboid, 18K pink gold gentleman's wristwatch. Accompanied by an 18K pink gold Patek Philippe buckle and by the Extract fromthe Archives.

CHF 120,000 - 140,000

USD 75,000 - 85,000

Sold: CHF 168,500

C. two-body, rhomboid, solid, polished, lapidated band, flat bezel. D. rhomboid, pink with painted indexes. "Bâton" pink gold hands. M. 23-300, stamped with the Geneva Quality Hallmark, extra-flat, rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 18 jewels, lever escapement, Giromax balance adjusted for heat, cold isochronism and 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Dim. 31 x 41 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 4*

Fair

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 5 - 01

Notes

This watch is a prototype and was never produced in series.A similar watch is published in "Collecting Patek Philippe Watches" by M. and Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore, Genova, 2000 Edition, p. 218, pl. 380.Gilbert Albertis a renowned jewelry designer and artist from Geneva. At the age of 24, in 1955, he worked for Patek Philippe, applying his innovative talents to the design of wristwatch cases. He broke away from traditional shapes, introducing asymmetrical triangles and rhombic forms, inspired by his passion for modern sculpture and works by his favorite artists, such as Brancusi and Mondrian. He also introduced textured organic surfaces on the asymmetrical shapes designed for the Patek Philippe "Ricochet" colection. However, many of his more revolutionary designs of that time remained prototypes and were not serially produced. In 1962, Gilbert Albert established his own workshop, designing and producing jewelry under his own name. Over the years, he became very successful, both in Geneva and internationally, receiving numerous awards for his jewelry. Gilbert Albert's creations are exhibited worldwide.Creations by Gilbert Albert, Ref. 3412-3413 (prototypes) and 3422-3424 (current production) are illustrated in "Patek Philippe Genève, Wristwatches", by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, Patek Philippe S.A., Geneva, 1998 Edition,pp. 78, 163, 187 and 188 and in the Thematic Sale "The Art of Patek Philippe", Antiquorum Geneva, April 9, 1989,pp. 45, 103 and 263.