21 Patek Philippe Tasteful and Sophisticated Rectangular-Shape Wristwatch in White and Pink Gold, Reference 408, With Silver Dial Subsidiary Seconds and Pink Gold Bracelet
Estimate: €15,000 – 30,000
Material: White and Pink Gold
Reference N°: 408
Year: 1934
Case N°: 610917
Caliber: 9′ 90
Movement type: Manual
Movement N°: 830017
Bracelet: Pink Gold
Dimensions: 20 x 35 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement
Accessories: Extract from Archives
The period between the late 1930’s and mid 1950’s in considered by many passionates and collectors as the “Golden Age” of watch making, specially for Patek Philippe. In those years, inspirations from both the art deco and the art nouveau period, the Swiss-polish brand produced a considerable and significant variety of rectangular-cased watches. This watches, moreover, could also have have been equipped with either round or rectangular movements and particularly the latter have always been very appreciated. One of the most famous is certainly the 9′ 90 caliber. This highly attractive rectangular work of art measures 18 × 25.6 mm and has been released in 2 batches: numbers from 830 000 to 839 999 between 1934 and 1950 whilst the movement numbers 970 00 – 977 889 between 1947 and 1967. Which means that in 33 years only a total of 17 888 movements have been made and not all of them have been equipped on some watches, making them very rare and absolutely sought after by many collectors. The present lot is one of these rarities bearing the caliber 9′ 90 with a harmonious, well-balanced case and dial design. Its spectacular rectangular case is definitely one of a kind for the unusual structure it possesses: not so often happens to see a Patek’s creation in pink and white gold, and is even more rare to find one with a central stripe of the opposite material, such as this lot. When looking at the case, the stepped side is refined and nicely preserved while is interesting the engraving on the white gold case back “Dr. Alvaro Camera”. Absolutely unique are the special pink gold stripes at 12 and 6 o’clock. To further embellish this lot is the pink gold bracelet with dedication on the clasp for Dr. Camera as well. The dial is the emblem of the era with painted baton indexes and outer, closed minutes track while at 6 o’clock is located the subsidiary dial for constant seconds. The movement has number 830 017 which means that this is one of the earliest representative of the first batch of caliber 9′ 90. Synonymous with elegance and illustrious impersonation of the concept of rarity, this watch is a prized piece for every collection of shaped watches and essential element for lovers of the 9′ 90 movements.