Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 13, 2012

LOT 463

PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 715/5, WATCH WITH UNIQUE ENAMEL MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF GENERAL LA FAYETTE BY J. PELLARIN-LEROY WITH ORIGINAL BOX AND DOCUMENTATION Patek Philippe, Genève, movement No. 892657, case No. 432821, Ref. 715/5. The miniature by J. Pellarin-Leroy after Joseph Desire Court?s portrait of Gilbert Motier, Marquis de La Fayette as Lieutenant General of 1791. The movement made in 1962, encased in 1974 and sold on December 20th, 1974. Accompanied by the original Patek Philippe fitted box and Certificate of Origin, original retailer?s sales receipt of January 31st, 1975, Patek Philippe valuation correspondence from 1979-2001 and the Extract from the Archives. Extremely fine and unique, 18K yellow gold, keyless dress watch with exceptional polychrome painted on enamel miniature portrait of General La Fayette.

CHF 50,000 - 80,000

USD 55,000 - 90,000 / EUR 40,000 - 65,000

Sold: CHF 134,500

C. Two-body, bassine, polished, the back decorated with a painted on enamel miniature portrait of General La Fayette after the painting by Joseph Desire Court of 1791. D. Matte silver with applied yellow gold faceted baton indexes, outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds. Yellow gold baton hands. M. Cal. 17??? 140, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel fl at balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed, the enamel signed J. Pellarin-Leroy. Diam. 47 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1*

As new

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

In the same family since its original purchase, this unique watch retains the original Certifi cate of Origin and sales receipt. The enamel portrait by J. Pellarin-Leroy is extremely well executed and colorful, accurately capturing the spirit of Joseph Desire Court?s glamorous original painting of 1791. Along with Suzanne Rohr, Pellarin-Leroy was one of the fi nest enamellists working for Patek Philippe.
Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette (1757-1834) Often known as simply La Fayette, was a French aristocrat and military offi cer. La Fayette was a general in the American Revolutionary War and a leader of the National Guard in France during the French Revolution. In the American Revolution, Lafayette served as a major-general in the Continental Army under George Washington. La Fayette was a personal friend of Washington and was granted honorary American citizenship. Along with Winston Churchill, La Fayette is perhaps the most beloved foreigner to Americans.