The Private Collection of Theodor Beyer

Hotel Baur Au Lac, Zurich, Nov 16, 2003

LOT 154

Grande Complication. Patek, Philippe & Cie., Genève, Ref. 959, No. 866779, case No. 2834873. Made in 1990, sold on November 13, 1990. Highly exceptional and extremely important, unique 18K gold keyless Grande Complication astronomical Grande et Petite Sonnerie clockwatch with minute-repeating, split-seconds chronograph with visible works, instantaneous 30-minute register, instantaneous perpetual calendar with phases of the moon, and 24-hour indications. Accompanied by original leather fitted mahogany box and the Extract from the Archives.

CHF 0 - 0

EUR 0 - 0 / USD 0 - 0

C. Four-body, "bassine", massive, polished, gold hinged glazed cuvette with sapphire glass, pushbutton for the split-seconds at 11:30, chronograph safety bolt at 11, switch from petite to grande sonnerie at 3, silent/striking switch at 9. D. Silver, matte, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, outermost chronograph track, four subsidiary sunk dials for days of the week concentric with 24-hour indications, date, months, phases of the moon and moon's age concentric with minute register, subsidiary seconds concentric with date. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 45 mm (20'''), Cal. GC, rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, tandem winding, punched with Seal of Geneva Quality mark, 44 jewels, adjusted to five positions, temperature and isochronism, straight line calibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with Breguet balance spring, "swan-neck" micrometric regulator, repeating on gongs by tripping small slide in the band.Signed on dial, case and movement.Diam. 61.5 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1- 01

As new

Notes

In the 1980s Patek Philippe made a very small number of "Grande Complication" watches, in the tradition of the celebrated one made during the last century, as exemplified by the famous "Gradowski" watch sold by Antiquorum on June 8-9, 2002, in Hong Kong, lot 423.While remaining faithful to tradition, these watches also benefit from the best that modern technology can offer. Each piece is slightly different, but all are based on the same 20''' movement. All are superbly finished and represent the ultimate in highly complicated timepieces. Seal of Geneva Quality Mark. The Seal of Geneva Quality mark is a trademark of the Office of Geneva Control of Watches. It was established on November 6, 1886, amended several times with the largest change incorporated on December 10, 1955. Its function was to voluntarily control watches made in the Canton of Geneva. Paragraph 3 of the statues states that the watches awarded the Seal of Geneva Quality mark must "after examination prove to have a perfect mechanism to ensure regular and durable functioning".