Important Collector's Wristwatches, P...

New York, Dec 01, 2004

LOT 188

Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, retailed by Asprey, No. 1110152, case No. 2614367, Ref. 3433, made in 1960. Production of this reference started in the 1960s. Very fine, and very rare 18K yellow gold self-winding, water-resistant, gentleman's wristwatch, probably the first 37 jewel caliber 27-460.

USD 7,000 - 9,000

EUR 5,500 - 7,000

Sold: USD 10,350

C. Two-body, solid, polished, screwed-down case back, stepped bezel, fluted lugs. D. "Satiné" silver with applied yellow gold indexes, subsidiary seconds dial. Yellow gold "bâton" hands. M. Cal. 27-460, stamped twice with the Geneva Quality Hallmark, rhodium plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 37 jewels, straight line lever escapement, Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and five positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance-spring, 18K gold rotor.Signed on dial, case and movement.Diam. 36 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

In 1960 Patek Philippe launched their self-winding caliber 27-460. Only 6900 examples were made, with serial numbers 1110000 to 1116899. It became the most successful Patek Philippe self-winding movement. It stemmed from calibre 12-600 had 30 jewels, wheras the final version of the 27-460 had 37 jewels. The earliest 27-460, like its predecessor had 30 jewels. The present watch, marked ?30 jewels plus 7 jewels?, is, to our knowledge, the only one to bear this marking. The additional seven jewels are the rotor bearings which were previously in steel. It appears that this watch, initially with 30 jewels, was the first with a jeweled rotor bearing; thus the addition of ?plus 7 jewels?, making it an important example in the development of the company?s self-winding watches.