Important Collector's Wristwatches, P...

New York, Sep 17, 2009

LOT 216

Platinum Gilbert Albert Patek Philippe, Genève, No. 858113, case No. 2633489, Ref. 3424/2, designed by Gilbert Albert. Made in 1969, sold on October 8, 1969. Very fine and very rare, asymmetrical, rhomboid, platinum and diamond wristwatch with a platinum Patek Philippe mesh bracelet. Accompanied by a fitted box and the Extract from the Archives.

USD 60,000 - 80,000

EUR 42,000 - 56,000 / CHF 65,000 - 86,000

Sold: USD 96,000

C. Two-body, rhomboid, solid, polished and brushed, bark-finish bezel set with 26 baguette diamonds (1.44 cts.), stepped sides. D. Satine silver, rhomboid, with painted indexes. White gold baton hands. M. Cal. 8???-85, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 27 x 39 mm. Thickness 8 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

According to our research, the platinum is by far the rarest in this reference. Over the past 20 years, there have been only four platinum Gilbert Albert watches to appear at auction. Of these, only one had diamonds. This is the first piece ever to appear at auction featuring diamonds and a platinum Patek Philippe bracelet, as confirmed by the Extract from the Archives.
Gilbert Albert A renowned Genevan jewelry designer and artist who began to design wristwatch cases for Patek Philippe at the age of 24. He favored asymmetrical triangles and rhombic forms inspired by his passion for modern sculpture, and introduced textured organic surfaces to the asymmetrical shapes of the Patek Philippe "Ricochet" collection. Many of his more revolutionary designs remained prototypes and were not produced In series. In 1962, Gilbert Albert opened a workshop to produce jewelry under his own name.