S otheby’s Watches is pleased to present our New York Watches Online auction open for bidding from 19 October – 28 October. Curated for every collector, the sale features exceptional timepieces by renowned brands such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega and more.
Of note are modern icons such as Rolex’s first platinum Daytona, Reference 116506, originally presented at Baselworld in 2013 with a striking Glacier blue dial, and the highly sought-after Reference 116619LB ‘Smurf,’ launched in 2008 as the firm’s first white gold Submariner.
An impressive variety of Patek Philippe timepieces and clocks are celebrated including a fine Reference 3970E, a yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases and leap year indication, a rare pink gold minute repeating split-seconds chronograph hunting cased watch from 1982, and a beautiful vintage center seconds Reference 2460R, originally launched in 1950 and produced for less than ten years.
Also included in our sale are fine accessories and memorabilia including Patek Philippe silk scarves, and porcelain vide poche trays. These charming pieces offer our collectors a rare opportunity to acquire treasures not available to the public for purchase.
It is often said that the split seconds chronograph combined with a minute repeater is the ultimate expression of the art of watchmaking. This important example of a Patek Philippe minute repeating split seconds chronograph features a number of important features that make it unique. First and foremost, the massive 54 mm hunter case is the perfect sounding board for the minute repeating mechanism. Recently overhauled, this watch sounds loudly and clearly the 18k gold case. The split seconds mechanism functions an equally crisp and concise functioning. The engraved monogram on the case is engraved F.A.M which is confirmed on both its original Patek Philippe Certificate as well as the Extract From the Archives. The great majority of minute repeating splits from Patek Philippe are in open cases. This rare variant in a hunter case was especially made for a patron of Patek Philippe, now the real identity of F.A.M only known within the archives of Patek Philippe. A hint on the importance of this client is the rooster and engraved motto ‘Deo Spes Nostra Est'. Two similar watches (movement numbers 80’294 & 90’455) can be seen in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, illustrated in Patek Philippe Watches Vol. 1, Patek Philippe Museum, 2013, pp. 358-359. A similar watch is illustrated in Huber, M., Banbery, A., Patek Philippe, 1982, p.224, fig.204
According to our research, this is one of the earliest known dome clocks to exist from Patek Philippe, original American retail in 1957 was 1250 USD. ‘Dome clocks’, or ‘Pendulettes,’ so named after their dome shaped cases and small size, were introduced in the 1950s and are still being produced today. The present lot is dressed in engraved lozenges and offered in excellent condition with an Extract from the Archives confirming the case's fine engraved decoration and its original red fitted presentation box. This example recently returned from Patek Philippe where it had a full mechanical overhaul.
Commemorative accessories such as trays and scarves were manufactured in limited quantities and reserved for special clients. These exceptional pieces were never made available to the general public making this wide selection of particular interest for avid collectors.
