Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...
Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, May 13, 2007
LOT 675
"Ref. 3619, Two Time-Zone" Patek Philippe, Genève, "Two Time-Zone", No. 739763, case No. 2757172, Ref. 3619. Made in a very limited number of examples in the 1975, sold on December 16, 1975. Very fine and rare, large, horizontal oval, 18K white gold gentleman?s wristwatch with two time-zones and three hands. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.
CHF 40,000 - 50,000
EUR 25,000 - 30,000 / USD 33,000 - 40,000
Sold: CHF 59,000
C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, rounded bezel, two pushers at 8 and 10 to independently adjust the second hour hand in one hour increments to indicate the second time-zone (patented in 1959), sapphire crystal. D. Satiné blue with applied white gold diamond-set indexes. White gold "dauphine" hands, a third luminous hour hand for the second timezone. M. Cal. 27 HS 400, stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva Quality Mark, rhodiumplated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 18 jewels, Gyromax balance adjusted for heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating blued steel Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 38 x 33 mm. Thickness 9 mm. Property of a Collector from Hong Kong
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Notes
Ref. 3619 was launched circa 1980.
Louis Cottier was a restorer of clocks and watches so talented that Alfred Chapuis, the well-known horological historian, recommended him to Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, who entrusted him with the restoration and maintenance of his collection of antique watches. Louis Cottier was born on September 28, 1894 in Carouge, which was to remain his home all his life. He came by his talents naturally. His father Emmanuel was known as a maker of watches and automata and had a workshop in the rue Saint-Victor. In 1885 he created a World Time system, which he presented to the Société des Arts and which would inspire the later work of his son. Louis attended the Geneva school of horology in the rue Necker, in the class of another important figure in Genevan horology, Henry Hess. He was a brilliant student and while still at school, won four prizes, two of them awarded by Patek Philippe. Cottier became a specialist in World Time timepieces, constructing hand-made models for the largest Geneva firms, all with similar characteristics. The Two Time Zone movement with two or three hands, developed along with the Patek Philippe engineers, may be counted among his most successful inventions. The prototype was finished in 1957, and it was patented by the firm in 1959, no. 340191 (see lot 25 of the present sale). His production totaled 455 movements for World Time pocket watches, wristwatches, and clocks, produced at an average rate of 13 pieces per year. Ever active, brilliant but modest despite the tremendous reputation he had earned in the world of horology ? at Patek, he was regarded as a sort of living legend ? he was faithful to his workbench, where he continued to invent fantastic mechanisms. Though he was regarded with great esteem, he remained a humble man. He would have been surprised to know that after his death Geneva?s Musée des Sciences strongly desired to obtain his workshop (It was finally given by the association ?Montres & Bijoux? to the Musée d?Horlogerie et d?émaillerie, where it can be seen today.). A similar tribute was made after his death (on September 16, 1966) when his fellow citizens of Carouge, in hommage to the man and his contributions, named a square after him.