Patek Philippe

• tropical hardwood hinged presentation box inlaid with ebony border, mother-of-pearl inlaid presentation plaque depicting the Graves coat-of-arms • silk Patek Philippe logo panel • further accompanied by glass replacement crystal and replacement platinum Breguet hands for No. 198015 • further accompanied by certificate of origin for No. 198025 

The box is in excellent condition for age; slight lifting to felt base under box (could be easily repaired).
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Hidden from the public's view and knowledge for decades, this box was found with the original certificate of origin concealed behind its silk panel for No. 198025. This certificate confirms the historical existence of a watch that redefines the scholarship of Graves' collecting in the 1920s as well as the scope of Patek Philippe's early sky chart production.

The original certificate for No. 198025 describes the watch as "chronometrically adjusted perpetual calendar, phases of the moon, sunrise, sunset, mean time, true time, winding indicator, and celestial chart". This 18k open face watch with 24 ligne movement is only known through archive images and, to the best of our knowledge, has not surfaced for decades.

James Ward Packard received delivery of a watch with a star chart calibrated for Warren, OH in 1927 (No. 198023). Previously recognized as the only sky chart watch made and delivered by Patek Philippe in 1920s, it is now known that the watch made for Graves represents a second sky chart made and delivered in the late 1920s. Unlike the Packard version, the Graves watch features a massive sky chart in full enamel depicting the celestial canopy as seen from New York City on the entire reverse side of the watch. Received during the same year that Graves ordered the Supercomplication (No. 198385), this watch can be considered the inspiration for arguably the most important watches ever made.

Hidden below the fitted velvet panel of the presently offered box was a spare crystal and platinum replacement hands for No. 198015. Based on the 52 mm size that the fitted case can accommodate, this box was most likely intended for one of the platinum Observatory competition watches that Graves obsessively collected in the 1920s and 1930s. Like the Sky Chart 'Mystery Watch' No. 198025, the whereabouts of No. 198015 is unknown.