10 Patek Philippe Well Preserved and Elegant Rectangular-Shape Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, With Subsidiary Seconds, Gilt Dial With Arabic Numbers
Estimate: €10,000 – 20,000
Sold (Premium)€11,700
Material: Yellow Gold
Year: 1928
Case N°: 607210
Caliber: 9″
Movement type: Manual
Movement N°: 820403
Bracelet: Leather Strap
Dimensions: 25 x 40 mm
Signed: Dial, case, movement
Accessories: Extract from the archives
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with gilded dial, radium hour markers and hands in 1928 and its subsequent sale on 24 December 1929.
In the ’20s of the 1900s, watches had increasingly found a place on the wrists of many businessmen. Yet, even before the Great Depression of the 1929 market, many watchmaking brands suffered for the lack of economic availability of their customers by decreasing the number of their sales. Patek Philippe was not immune to this crisis but still managed to maintain its dominant status thanks to its ability to open new markets, spreading mainly on South American soil, and by remaining anchored to a small number of its very wealthy loyal customers. Obviously the main need was to continue producing objects that were, besides efficient and with an intriguing design, also immediately accessible. The answer was ready: large, often rectangular cases (a form in which Patek exceeded in quality and inventiveness) with large dials decorated with big Arabic numerals. The lot offered here perfectly reflects these features but stands out against similar specimens for its incredible conservation. The large 25 x 40mm case, made of 18k yellow gold, is in very good condition with the beautiful worked winding crown and the engraved back CE Wickman – Xmas 1929. The dial, predating the modern concept of disign, is the perfect combination of form and functionality with its beautiful champagne color still alive and well preserved and the large Arabic numerals for easier reading of the time. At 6 o’clock the subsidiary dial of seconds and at 12 the long signature Patek Philippe & Co Geneva Switzerland. Accompanied by the extract from the archive confirming the production of this watch in 1928 and subsequent sale the Christmas eve of the following year, this watch is an illustrious witness of a bygone era.