Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrat...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 24, 2004

LOT 21

Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 861420, case No. 2610964, Ref. 3422, designed by Gilbert Albert, manu-factured in 1961, sold on March 22, 1961. Production of this reference started in 1960. Very fine and extremely rare, asymmetrical rhomboid, small and extra-slim 18K yellow gold gentleman?s wristwatch. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

EUR 38,000 - 50,000 / USD 47,000 - 62,000

Sold: CHF 63,250

C. two-body, rhomboid, solid, polished, satiné stepped sides.D. No. 2610963, champagne, rhomboid,with painted indexes. Yellow gold "Bâton" hands.M. Cal. 99 P, extra-flat, rhodium-plated, "fausses-côtes" deco-ration,18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, 5 adjustments, self-compensating flatbalance-spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Dim. 29 x 30 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3 - 5 - 6*
Dial: 2 - 38 - 01

Notes

Gilbert Albert (born September 20, 1930) Atorenowned Genevan jewelry designer and artist. In 1955, at the age of 24, he began to apply his innovative talentsthe design of wristwatch cases for Patek Philippe. Breaking away from traditional shapes, he introduced 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" collection. However, many of his more revolutionary designs of that time remained prototypes and were not produced in series. 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 of Gilbert Albert, Ref. 3412-3413 (prototypes) and 3422-3424 (production) are illustrated in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches", by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, 1998 , pp. 78, 163, 187 and 188 and in the thematic sale "The Art of Patek Philippe", Antiquorum, April 9, 1989, pp. 45, 103 and 263.