1920 Patek Philippe & Cie 18ct Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
Ref: 291.879
Specification
Box & Papers : Box & Extract
Case Material : 18ct Yellow Gold
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Patek Philippe & Cie box and archive extract from Patek Philippe. The watch is from Circa. 1920 and is sold in very fair condition considering its age. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a stunning 1920 Patek Philippe & Cie 18ct Yellow Gold Pocket Watch. The 46.5mm case shimmers in the light. At 12 o’clock we have the winding and adjustment crown with a chainring protecting it. The domed crystal sits above a white enameled dial with an outer minute track with red minutes and elegant Breguet numerals. Delicate 18ct yellow gold Louis XV hands catch the light as you rotate the dial. At 6 o’clock a small seconds register. Text is precisely printed at 12 o’clock. On the reverse, we have initials engraved into it. Inside a Manually Wound Patek 18"' Lever Escapement. On the dust cover, we have an inscription “Cecil. H. Pinch. For faithful service 1911-1931 from H.J.Heinz Company”. Heinz is an American company founded by H.J.Heinz in 1869. Inside the case back you find the relevant gold hallmarks and the pocket watch comes with its original box and Patek Philippe archive extract.
Personal Note
It isn't every day that a beautifully preserved pocket watch lands on your desk, even more so from such an esteemed brand like Patek Philippe, I had to jump at this opportunity as it is such a stunning piece of history! How incredible to think that this was produced in 1920 and didn't sell until 1931, 11 years to sell a Patek? Unheard of today, it's incredible to picture just how different the world of watches and pocket watches was back then. This is a true collector's piece, be sure to book a viewing with us and take a closer look yourself!
The Brand
Patek,Czapek & Cie was founded by Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek in 1839. The company name became Patek, Philippe & Cie –Fabricants à Genève in 1851. They created the first Swiss wristwatch, made for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary In 1868. They produced the first complicated ladies’ wristwatch with a five-minute repeater, No. 174 603 in 1916. In 1923 they sold the first split-seconds chronograph wristwatch, No. 124 824. In 1932 we saw the launch of the first Calatrava: Ref. 96. The business began with the regular production of perpetual calendar wristwatches in 1941. They won a record number of first prizes for precision in the Geneva Observatory competition in 1944. Later in 1962, a tourbillon movement achieved the still unbeaten world timekeeping precision record for a mechanical watch, at the Geneva Observatory. In 1976 we saw the launch of the first Nautilus sports watches Ref. 3700/1 in steel. To celebrate their anniversary they launched the Calibre 89 to mark 150 years of Patek Philippe. It has an incredible 33 complications, which is the most ever in a portable timepiece. They moved into a new production facility in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva in 1996. Continuing their mastery of Horology they launched the most complicated Patek Philippe wristwatch with a double face: the Sky Moon Tourbillon, Ref. 5002 in 2001. The Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva opened in the same year. Renovation of the beautiful rue du Rhône salons in Geneva was completed in 2006. They celebrated their 175th anniversary in 2014.