Patek Philippe before 1950
Not including World Time and Perpetual Calendar.
See also : Patek Philippe Time pieces
Chronology : 1933
See also : Patek Philippe Time pieces
Chronology : 1933
1898 The Secret of Patek Philippe's Success
2013 SOLD 2.25 M$ including premium
The Patek Philippe company was created in Geneva in 1851, succeeding the workshop founded by Patek and Czapek twelve years earlier. The competition was tough for Swiss watches. However, three quarters of a century later, Patek Philippe was the undisputed leader in complicated watches.
In the nineteenth century Patek Philippe had already filed many patents. However, a pocket watch recently discovered with its certificate and invoice changes the vision that historians could have on the development of the brand.
In October 1900, an American banker named Stephen S. Palmer came to Geneva to buy three Patek Philippe watches, one of which is the subject of this article. It includes the best complications available at that time: minute repeater, months, days of the week, split-seconds chronograph, grande and petite sonnerie and phases of the moon.
The story of its design is not known. The Palmer monogram filling the entire back of this gold watch leaves no doubt that it meets the requirements of a special order similar to those, better documented but much later, by Packard or Graves.
This piece is extraordinary. This is the earliest known watch in which Patek Philippe succeeded in bringing together so many complications in a single pocket watch. It is for sale by Christie's in New York on June 11. It is so unusual that the auction house has not yet established an estimate. I invite you to read the excellent and well illustrated article shared by Haute Time.
Here begins the dream. This masterpiece representing a technological breakthrough cannot be unique. Until yesterday, Palmer was known as a benefactor of Princeton University but not as a lover of watches. Where are the other watches purchased by Palmer? What are their features? Are similar wonders still sleeping in the chests of the descendants of unindentified wealthy clients?
The sales records of Patek Philippe are remarkably detailed. This exciting discovery will certainly challenge the experts in the company to review the documents of that period to start hunting for similar pieces. A new page just opens in the history of watchmaking.
POST SALE COMMENT
This specimen exceptional in the history of Patek Philippe was sold for $ 2.25 million including premium, well above its higher estimate.
Another information about dates: this watch sold in 1900 had been manufactured in 1898.
This watch is discussed by Aurel Bacs in the video below (shared by Meehna Goldsmith) :
In the nineteenth century Patek Philippe had already filed many patents. However, a pocket watch recently discovered with its certificate and invoice changes the vision that historians could have on the development of the brand.
In October 1900, an American banker named Stephen S. Palmer came to Geneva to buy three Patek Philippe watches, one of which is the subject of this article. It includes the best complications available at that time: minute repeater, months, days of the week, split-seconds chronograph, grande and petite sonnerie and phases of the moon.
The story of its design is not known. The Palmer monogram filling the entire back of this gold watch leaves no doubt that it meets the requirements of a special order similar to those, better documented but much later, by Packard or Graves.
This piece is extraordinary. This is the earliest known watch in which Patek Philippe succeeded in bringing together so many complications in a single pocket watch. It is for sale by Christie's in New York on June 11. It is so unusual that the auction house has not yet established an estimate. I invite you to read the excellent and well illustrated article shared by Haute Time.
Here begins the dream. This masterpiece representing a technological breakthrough cannot be unique. Until yesterday, Palmer was known as a benefactor of Princeton University but not as a lover of watches. Where are the other watches purchased by Palmer? What are their features? Are similar wonders still sleeping in the chests of the descendants of unindentified wealthy clients?
The sales records of Patek Philippe are remarkably detailed. This exciting discovery will certainly challenge the experts in the company to review the documents of that period to start hunting for similar pieces. A new page just opens in the history of watchmaking.
POST SALE COMMENT
This specimen exceptional in the history of Patek Philippe was sold for $ 2.25 million including premium, well above its higher estimate.
Another information about dates: this watch sold in 1900 had been manufactured in 1898.
This watch is discussed by Aurel Bacs in the video below (shared by Meehna Goldsmith) :
1923 Sport and Complication
2014 SOLD 2.96 M$ including premium
Realized as prototypes or custom, the most advanced watches by Patek Philippe were not published. Their characteristics were therefore not known to the public until they were made available as catalog models. Retroactively, it appears that Patek Philippe has always been the leader for the complications.
In the 1920s, their development teams managed to incorporate the complications in small and thin cases compatible with the use on the wrist, thus winning a major part in a promising market. Then the miniaturization of the combinations of complications generated the masterpieces of modern watchmaking.
Three prestigious complications received the greatest attention: repetition, perpetual calendar and split.
The chronographe à rattrapante (split seconds chronograph) includes two centered hands. One of them runs its rotation in sixty seconds. The other is stopped by the action of a pusher and joins the first hand when the measurement is achieved. This complication is very popular for the measurement of time intervals in sporting competitions.
In 1923, Patek Philippe manufactures and sells a single specimen of split seconds chronograph wristwatch assembled in an old 'montre d'officier' case. This piece that can be considered as a prototype had no immediate commercial following. For this reason, some of its other features are also unique such as its calibration to 60 minutes and the design of its dial.
This historic watch was sold for nearly CHF 3M by Antiquorum on November 14, 1999, equivalent at that time to $ 1.9 M. It is estimated $ 800K, for sale by Sotheby's in New York on June 10, lot 175.
POST SALE COMMENT
This watch is a key step in the fabulous technological development of Patek Philippe. It was sold for $ 2.96 million including premium.
In the 1920s, their development teams managed to incorporate the complications in small and thin cases compatible with the use on the wrist, thus winning a major part in a promising market. Then the miniaturization of the combinations of complications generated the masterpieces of modern watchmaking.
Three prestigious complications received the greatest attention: repetition, perpetual calendar and split.
The chronographe à rattrapante (split seconds chronograph) includes two centered hands. One of them runs its rotation in sixty seconds. The other is stopped by the action of a pusher and joins the first hand when the measurement is achieved. This complication is very popular for the measurement of time intervals in sporting competitions.
In 1923, Patek Philippe manufactures and sells a single specimen of split seconds chronograph wristwatch assembled in an old 'montre d'officier' case. This piece that can be considered as a prototype had no immediate commercial following. For this reason, some of its other features are also unique such as its calibration to 60 minutes and the design of its dial.
This historic watch was sold for nearly CHF 3M by Antiquorum on November 14, 1999, equivalent at that time to $ 1.9 M. It is estimated $ 800K, for sale by Sotheby's in New York on June 10, lot 175.
POST SALE COMMENT
This watch is a key step in the fabulous technological development of Patek Philippe. It was sold for $ 2.96 million including premium.
1927 Henry Graves Jr Minute Repeating Wristwatch
2019 SOLD for CHF 4.6M by Christie's
Time repeating of hours and quarters by an activated chime was important before the invention of the electric light, to pick the time during the night.
The repeating of minutes is tested by Patek Philippe in the late nineteenth century. The Palmer specimen assembled in 1898, considered to be the very first grand complication Patek Philippe pocket watch, included this feature. The incorporation into a wristwatch is not studied before 1906. Before Packard and Graves, clients did not expect that technical feat.
Henry Graves Jr was the great instigator of the technological progress of Patek Philippe. Along three decades from 1922, he bought 39 special watches from Patek Philippe. In 1928 he came in person to Geneva to approve the drawing of the watch with 25 complications which will be delivered to him in 1933.
During this trip, Graves buys a wristwatch incorporating a movement from 1895, which today appears to be Patek Philippe's oldest prototype of minute repeater. Its 40 mm long tonneau-shaped case made in 1927 was specially adapted to incorporate this very early mechanism and to optimize the repeating sound. The engraving of Graves's coat of arms is added on the yellow gold case for that purchase.
This watch surfaced for the first time in 2012 in the deceased estate of Graves's grandson. It was sold for $ 3M by Sotheby's on June 14, 2012, lot 8, and for CHF 4.6M by Christie's on November 11, 2019, lot 154.
Graves owned three other minute repeating wristwatches. For one of them, also commissioned and assembled in 1927 and delivered in 1928, Patek Philippe managed to reduce down to 24 mm the size of the movement. This cushion shaped platinum wristwatch was sold for CHF 1.2M by Christie's on May 12, 2014, lot 101.
The repeating of minutes is tested by Patek Philippe in the late nineteenth century. The Palmer specimen assembled in 1898, considered to be the very first grand complication Patek Philippe pocket watch, included this feature. The incorporation into a wristwatch is not studied before 1906. Before Packard and Graves, clients did not expect that technical feat.
Henry Graves Jr was the great instigator of the technological progress of Patek Philippe. Along three decades from 1922, he bought 39 special watches from Patek Philippe. In 1928 he came in person to Geneva to approve the drawing of the watch with 25 complications which will be delivered to him in 1933.
During this trip, Graves buys a wristwatch incorporating a movement from 1895, which today appears to be Patek Philippe's oldest prototype of minute repeater. Its 40 mm long tonneau-shaped case made in 1927 was specially adapted to incorporate this very early mechanism and to optimize the repeating sound. The engraving of Graves's coat of arms is added on the yellow gold case for that purchase.
This watch surfaced for the first time in 2012 in the deceased estate of Graves's grandson. It was sold for $ 3M by Sotheby's on June 14, 2012, lot 8, and for CHF 4.6M by Christie's on November 11, 2019, lot 154.
Graves owned three other minute repeating wristwatches. For one of them, also commissioned and assembled in 1927 and delivered in 1928, Patek Philippe managed to reduce down to 24 mm the size of the movement. This cushion shaped platinum wristwatch was sold for CHF 1.2M by Christie's on May 12, 2014, lot 101.
On 11 November, the Geneva Important Watches auction will be highlighted by Henry Graves Jr.’s unique yellow gold tonneau minute repeater of 1927, the first and earliest wristwatch in his outstanding collection of approximately 30 watches by Patek Philippe https://t.co/rLWkgoS7HB pic.twitter.com/OaD3PBOoSI
— Christie's (@ChristiesInc) September 25, 2019
□ Take a closer look at this rare gold Patek Philippe wristwatch, once owned by the 20th century’s most celebrated watch collector: https://t.co/n3xi67rz2G pic.twitter.com/FmKfOElPrn
— Christie's (@ChristiesInc) October 30, 2019
1928 A White Gold Chronograph
2011 SOLD 3.2 MCHF including premium
Elegance, precious materials, complications, ease of use: a Patek Philippe wristwatch for sale by Christie's in Geneva on May 16 offers all these qualities. It is estimated CHF 1.5 M
In 1926, Patek Philippe introduced the single button chronograph watch. The simplicity of the pusher can give a great elegance to this model for which the cushion shape is particularly suitable.
Made in 1928, sold in 1931, the copy presented by Christie's has a feature perhaps unique in its class: it is made in 18K white gold, including the hands and the numerals applied on the silvered dial. The photo is shared by Auction News Network.
These chronographs were of course available in other materials: pink gold, platinum, steel. On November 14, 2006, Sotheby's sold CHF 916K including premium a watch in 18K yellow gold with black numerals. Its production is simultaneous with the specimen for sale by Christie's: the serial numbers of the mechanisms differ by less than 200 units.
These watches are also contemporary of the beginning of the great economic depression. These difficulties increased the competition to luxury. It was believed that this market sector could survive the crisis better than the product lines for greater use. We had similar discussions about cars.
To appreciate this remark, remember a very different model, the Patek Philippe pocket watch with 24 complications delivered in 1933 to Henry Graves Jr. This wonder of wonders was sold for $ 11M including premium by Sotheby's in December 1999.
POST SALE COMMENT
Christie's was convincing: this watch has all the qualities. It was sold CHF 3.2 million including premium.
In 1926, Patek Philippe introduced the single button chronograph watch. The simplicity of the pusher can give a great elegance to this model for which the cushion shape is particularly suitable.
Made in 1928, sold in 1931, the copy presented by Christie's has a feature perhaps unique in its class: it is made in 18K white gold, including the hands and the numerals applied on the silvered dial. The photo is shared by Auction News Network.
These chronographs were of course available in other materials: pink gold, platinum, steel. On November 14, 2006, Sotheby's sold CHF 916K including premium a watch in 18K yellow gold with black numerals. Its production is simultaneous with the specimen for sale by Christie's: the serial numbers of the mechanisms differ by less than 200 units.
These watches are also contemporary of the beginning of the great economic depression. These difficulties increased the competition to luxury. It was believed that this market sector could survive the crisis better than the product lines for greater use. We had similar discussions about cars.
To appreciate this remark, remember a very different model, the Patek Philippe pocket watch with 24 complications delivered in 1933 to Henry Graves Jr. This wonder of wonders was sold for $ 11M including premium by Sotheby's in December 1999.
POST SALE COMMENT
Christie's was convincing: this watch has all the qualities. It was sold CHF 3.2 million including premium.
1933 Supercomplication for the Use of New York
2014 SOLD for CHF 23.2M including premium
Patek Philippe knew to listen to their wealthy private clients. The Geneva brand remains for that reason since over a century the pioneer of miniaturization accompanied by an increasing number of complications in pocket watches and later in wristwatches.
By 1900, the Palmer specimen was a pocket watch with minute repeater, months, days of the week, split-second chronograph, grande and petite sonnerie and the phases of the moon.
James Ward Packard, the car industrialist, was one of the most demanding customers of Patek Philippe. In 1916, he obtained a pocket watch with sixteen complications, and in 1927 he had a celestial chart added to nine other complications in a single watch.
When Packard died in 1928, the New York banker Henry Graves Jr. had already ordered the world's most complicated pocket watch, with 24 complications divided into two dials including the night time sky from New York City.
Completed in 1932, the Supercomplication is a unique piece for which Patek Philippe had mobilized their best specialists. The assembly of its 920 components in a case 74 mm in diameter and 36 mm thick is a technical feat that will remain unmatched until the era of computer-aided design.
The Supercomplication was delivered to Graves on 19 January 1933 for CHF 60K, nearly five times the price of the ultimate Packard watch. It was sold for $ 11M including premium by Sotheby's on December 2, 1999. It is for sale by Sotheby's in Geneva on November 11, lot 345.
I invite you to play the video shared by Sotheby's.
By 1900, the Palmer specimen was a pocket watch with minute repeater, months, days of the week, split-second chronograph, grande and petite sonnerie and the phases of the moon.
James Ward Packard, the car industrialist, was one of the most demanding customers of Patek Philippe. In 1916, he obtained a pocket watch with sixteen complications, and in 1927 he had a celestial chart added to nine other complications in a single watch.
When Packard died in 1928, the New York banker Henry Graves Jr. had already ordered the world's most complicated pocket watch, with 24 complications divided into two dials including the night time sky from New York City.
Completed in 1932, the Supercomplication is a unique piece for which Patek Philippe had mobilized their best specialists. The assembly of its 920 components in a case 74 mm in diameter and 36 mm thick is a technical feat that will remain unmatched until the era of computer-aided design.
The Supercomplication was delivered to Graves on 19 January 1933 for CHF 60K, nearly five times the price of the ultimate Packard watch. It was sold for $ 11M including premium by Sotheby's on December 2, 1999. It is for sale by Sotheby's in Geneva on November 11, lot 345.
I invite you to play the video shared by Sotheby's.
1937 Reference 130 in Stainless Steel
2015 SOLD for CHF 4.6M by Phillips
We duly associate luxury watches and precious metals. The watches of the most prestigious models made of stainless steel are highly rare. They were made on special order or for an experimental reason, and examples are known where an owner replaced the original case by gold.
There is no steel watch in the 2499 and world time models.
On May 10, 2015, Phillips sold for CHF 4.6M from a lower estimate of CHF 1M a stainless steel Patek Philippe 130, lot 123. This model corresponds to the development of the single-button chronograph.
The model 130 was normally cased in yellow gold, excepted two steel units with adjacent movement numbers from 1927 which were delivered together in 1937 to the Patek Philippe agent in Buenos Aires.
They were reportedly assembled by special order for the use of two brothers who were medical doctors. Three unusual features are the large size of the case, 35 mm, 2 mm more than the normal case of that model, the spectacular matte silvered dial and the pulsation scale on the outer ring. The dial with two vertically positioned sub-dials is an aviator-type design from the late 1930s.
One of them is kept in the Patek Philippe Museum where it is nicknamed the Doctor's Wristwatch, leaving its sister watch as the only one in private ownership.
There is no steel watch in the 2499 and world time models.
On May 10, 2015, Phillips sold for CHF 4.6M from a lower estimate of CHF 1M a stainless steel Patek Philippe 130, lot 123. This model corresponds to the development of the single-button chronograph.
The model 130 was normally cased in yellow gold, excepted two steel units with adjacent movement numbers from 1927 which were delivered together in 1937 to the Patek Philippe agent in Buenos Aires.
They were reportedly assembled by special order for the use of two brothers who were medical doctors. Three unusual features are the large size of the case, 35 mm, 2 mm more than the normal case of that model, the spectacular matte silvered dial and the pulsation scale on the outer ring. The dial with two vertically positioned sub-dials is an aviator-type design from the late 1930s.
One of them is kept in the Patek Philippe Museum where it is nicknamed the Doctor's Wristwatch, leaving its sister watch as the only one in private ownership.
1937 Reference 96QL ex Puyi
2023 SOLD for HK$ 49M by Phillips
In 1932 Patek Philippe is acquired was its partner Fabrique de Cadrans Stern Frères. In the same year the wristwatch Reference 96, also referred by the brand as Calatrava, is a breakthrough by its round dial with a simplified design inspired from the Bauhaus. This reference remained in production for over 40 years.
The variant 96QL, released in 1937, also displays the moon phases (Quantième Lune) and the calendar. Eight examples are known of such a combination of complications, five of them in platinum.
Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, was designated in 1934 as the emperor of Manchukuo, a puppet vassal state of the Japanese empire. His reign name was Kangde.
A platinum 96QL made in 1937 with the triple date in French was acquired by Kangde. The date is in French. The dial is circled by a roulette.
After the Japanese surrender, Kangde abdicated and was held prisoner by the Soviets. Puyi's Chinese servant half scratched the surface of the dial to find out if it is made of platinum. It was in brass unlike the casing. The watch was given to his Russian translator by the former emperor before he was repatriated to China in 1950.
Treasured by the translator, the 96QL surfaced with a few other artifacts. It was sold for HK $ 49M from a lower estimate of HK $ 25M by Phillips on May 23, 2023, lot 3.
The variant 96QL, released in 1937, also displays the moon phases (Quantième Lune) and the calendar. Eight examples are known of such a combination of complications, five of them in platinum.
Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, was designated in 1934 as the emperor of Manchukuo, a puppet vassal state of the Japanese empire. His reign name was Kangde.
A platinum 96QL made in 1937 with the triple date in French was acquired by Kangde. The date is in French. The dial is circled by a roulette.
After the Japanese surrender, Kangde abdicated and was held prisoner by the Soviets. Puyi's Chinese servant half scratched the surface of the dial to find out if it is made of platinum. It was in brass unlike the casing. The watch was given to his Russian translator by the former emperor before he was repatriated to China in 1950.
Treasured by the translator, the 96QL surfaced with a few other artifacts. It was sold for HK $ 49M from a lower estimate of HK $ 25M by Phillips on May 23, 2023, lot 3.
1942 Reference 570 in Stainless Steel
2021 SOLD for CHF 3.3M by Phillips
Early models of wristwatches in stainless steel are highly rare.
A Patek Philippe reference 570 made in 1942 in stainless steel was sold by Phillips on May 9, 2021 for CHF 3.3M from a lower estimate of CHF 200K, lot 160. In stunning condition, it features a satin finished silvered dial and black enameled Breguet style numerals.
Such an exquisite two tone dial configuration is known in two examples only in period. Patek Philippe will re-use it with the reference 5196 in platinum.
Introduced in 1938, the reference 570, which is a larger version of the Calatrava 96, has a flat bezel and is famous for its modernist design.
A Patek Philippe reference 570 made in 1942 in stainless steel was sold by Phillips on May 9, 2021 for CHF 3.3M from a lower estimate of CHF 200K, lot 160. In stunning condition, it features a satin finished silvered dial and black enameled Breguet style numerals.
Such an exquisite two tone dial configuration is known in two examples only in period. Patek Philippe will re-use it with the reference 5196 in platinum.
Introduced in 1938, the reference 570, which is a larger version of the Calatrava 96, has a flat bezel and is famous for its modernist design.
1945 Reference 1436 in Stainless Steel
2015 SOLD for CHF 3.3M by Phillips
We duly associate luxury watches and precious metals. The watches of the most prestigious models made of stainless steel are highly rare. They were made on special order or to an experimental reason, and examples are known where an owner replaced the original case by gold.
Lovers of exceptional watches must consider that there is no known steel watch in the 2499 and world time models. On May 10, 2015, Phillips sold for CHF 4.6M a Patek Philippe 130 made of steel in 1927.
On November 7, 2015, Phillips sold a Patek Philippe 1436 made of stainless steel in 1945 for CHF 3.3M from a lower estimate of CHF 1.5M, lot 169. This split-chronograph model was a significant technological advance. Only one other steel example is surviving.
This watch, still in an as new condition, has probably never been used after leaving the factory. Its movement has clearly never been dismantled.
Lovers of exceptional watches must consider that there is no known steel watch in the 2499 and world time models. On May 10, 2015, Phillips sold for CHF 4.6M a Patek Philippe 130 made of steel in 1927.
On November 7, 2015, Phillips sold a Patek Philippe 1436 made of stainless steel in 1945 for CHF 3.3M from a lower estimate of CHF 1.5M, lot 169. This split-chronograph model was a significant technological advance. Only one other steel example is surviving.
This watch, still in an as new condition, has probably never been used after leaving the factory. Its movement has clearly never been dismantled.
1948-1952 An Observatory Chronometer
2012 SOLD for CHF 3.8M by Christie's
The continuous improvement of Patek Philippe watches is based on two complementary incentives : meeting the specifications of the observatories and paying attention to the requirements of the most demanding customers.
A wristwatch for sale on November 12, 2012 by Christie's is resulting from these two trends which of course were in no way incompatible.
Its movement is a chronometer watch made in 1948 to participate in the competition of trials of the Astronomical Observatory of Geneva, in the category of diameters smaller than 30 mm compatible with wristwatch cases.
The technical difficulty of this achievement has led the manufacturer to use a Guillaume balance, so named from the Swiss inventor who won a Nobel Prize for his work on new alloys for the needs of precision instruments.
The collector came four years later, in 1952. In the following of the great pre-war customers like Packard and Graves, this Texan lawyer named Champion wanted an astronomical wristwatch in a luxury case.
Patek Philippe then agreed to provide him with the 1948 movement after assembling it in a case similar to the 2458 model but made in platinum. The dial indicates both the reference to the Observatory and the statement that this piece was made specially for JB Champion.
This exceptional and unique watch is accompanied with a replacement dial and a platinum bracelet. It was sold for CHF 3.8M from a lower estimate of CHF 2M, lot 88.
A wristwatch for sale on November 12, 2012 by Christie's is resulting from these two trends which of course were in no way incompatible.
Its movement is a chronometer watch made in 1948 to participate in the competition of trials of the Astronomical Observatory of Geneva, in the category of diameters smaller than 30 mm compatible with wristwatch cases.
The technical difficulty of this achievement has led the manufacturer to use a Guillaume balance, so named from the Swiss inventor who won a Nobel Prize for his work on new alloys for the needs of precision instruments.
The collector came four years later, in 1952. In the following of the great pre-war customers like Packard and Graves, this Texan lawyer named Champion wanted an astronomical wristwatch in a luxury case.
Patek Philippe then agreed to provide him with the 1948 movement after assembling it in a case similar to the 2458 model but made in platinum. The dial indicates both the reference to the Observatory and the statement that this piece was made specially for JB Champion.
This exceptional and unique watch is accompanied with a replacement dial and a platinum bracelet. It was sold for CHF 3.8M from a lower estimate of CHF 2M, lot 88.
