Patek Philippe

• cal. 13''' First Quality Victorin Piguet manual winding nickel-finished lever movement, 23 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance • silvered dial, black enamel Breguet numerals, two vertically positioned subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30-minutes register, blued steel spade hands • 18k yellow gold hinged Officer case, wire lugs • case, dial and movement signed • with an 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle

Please note that the movement has not been checked for timekeeping accuracy and Sotheby's will not be held responsible for any repairs should they be required. The movement is running at the time of cataloguing and the chronograph function is operating. Dial with some damages to the edge and with some marks throughout, previously reprinted probably by Patek Philippe. Beautiful hands in very good condition. Case with usual small due to use and age, the hinge of the inner case back is not operating. Overall in fair condition. Very important and fascinating watch with an attractive estimate.
"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."

This extraordinary wristwatch is one of the earliest chronograph wristwatches known to have been made by Patek Philippe and sheds new light on the development of this horological complication. Remarkably, until today, only seven other single button, Officer cased, chronographs by Patek Philippe were known, with the present example now taking the figure to 8. Furthermore, extensive research suggests that less than two dozen pieces may have been made in total.

Single button chronographs hold a unique place in the small world of complicated wristwatches. Patek Philippe produced an extremely limited number of these models from 1924 until the late 1930s, with the majority known only from literature and the Patek Philippe Archives. Today, Patek Philippe still produces this ingenious complication, combined with split seconds, yet still in very small quantities (references 5959 and 5950).

Carefully preserved by the current owner, a distinguished European Patek Philippe collector, this exceptional lot is one of the finest examples from the early period of complication wristwatch production. The watch features some of the characteristics found on the other ‘known’ examples. The most important element is arguably the vertically positioned subsidiary dials indicating the 30 minute chronograph register at 12 and the constant seconds at 6. The wire lugs, the hinged case and the elegant Breguet numerals are also characteristics that these exclusive watches share. However, it is also interesting to note that the ébauche of the movement, which was supplied to Victorin Piguet, is the only Officer cased example known to have a coveted 1^st Quality finish and a micrometric regulator to the balance cock. The master watch making house of Victorin Piguet was based in Le Sentier, Switzerland. They had a very long and trusted relationship with Patek Philippe, enhancing their perpetual calendar movements and designing unusual complications, such as split second and single-button chronographs as seen in the present watch. 

A very similar Officer cased wristwatch, but with Second Quality ebauche by Victorin Piguet, is illustrated in Huber, Banbery, Patek Philippe Wristwatches, Second Edition, 1998, p.258, pl.398 and the same 1986, pp. 81, 258. For another example of the same calibre as the present watch, also with 1^st Quality finish but without micrometric regulation and housed in a cushion case, see ob. cit. p.260, pl. 400b.

This lot represents a very rare opportunity to acquire not only a historically significant wristwatch, but one of the very few single button chronograph wristwatches ever produced by Patek Philippe.