Important Watches
Important Watches
Property from an Important Collection
Patek Philippe
A fine and possibly unique set of three torpedo boat navigator's trio silver open faced watches with power reserve, and original fitted and numbered box, Made in 1912, Sold to the US Navy on 8 December 1917, and used on the US Zeppelin Airship Los Angeles (ZR-3) 百達翡麗 一組三枚 Navigator's Trio 銀製懷錶備動力儲存顯示，附原廠錶盒，錶盒印有編號，1912年製，1917年12月8日售予美國海軍，曾於美國齊柏林飛船洛杉磯號（ZR-3）上使用，可能為孤品
Auction Closed
December 9, 06:15 PM GMT
Estimate
150,000 - 250,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
A fine and possibly unique set of three torpedo boat navigator's trio silver open faced watches with power reserve, and original fitted and numbered box, Made in 1912
Sold to the US Navy on 8 December 1917, and used on the US Zeppelin Airship Los Angeles (ZR-3)
Dial: silvered
Caliber: 21'" ligne mechanical, guillaume balances with winged armed, Breguet balance springs, diamond end stones, (Swiss patent 2680, 27 September 1890)
Movement number: 170’414
Case: silvered, engraved hinged case back; US NAVY
Case number: 274’699
Size: 60 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Dial: silvered
Caliber: 21'" ligne mechanical, guillaume balances with winged armed, Breguet balance springs, diamond end stones, (Swiss patent 2680, 27 September 1890)
Movement number: 170’416
Case: silvered, engraved hinged case back; US NAVY
Case number: 274’701
Size: 60 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Dial: silvered
Caliber: 21'" ligne mechanical, guillaume balances with winged armed, Breguet balance springs, diamond end stones, (Swiss patent 2680, 27 September 1890)
Movement number: 170'417
Case: silvered, engraved hinged case back; US NAVY
Case number: 274’693
Size: 60 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: Yes
Papers: No
Accessories: Original fitted US NAVY mahogany box with with brass plaques for each corresponding watch's movement number, removable display tray with strut. Box measuring approximately 10 x 4.5 x 2.25 inches.
Together with three Patek Philippe Extracts from the Archives confirming the year of manufacture for each timepiece in 1912, and sale on 8 December 1917, all obtaining Geneva Observatory rating certificates in 1913.
Facsimile Geneva Observatory rating certificates with corresponding testing records
A Navigator's Trio or 'Torpedo-Boat Navigator's Timing Outfit', was a set of three chronometer tool watches recommended by the official US Navy Observatory for the following uses:
-To time synchronized attacks
-To identify sidereal, Greenwich Mean Time, and local time
-To identify departure time, destination time, and local time
Best described by British Captain Shadwell, it is of particular use to apply three chronometers at once because '...two chronometers are of very little use when one malfunctions it cannot be determined which one it is whereas with three chronometers, if one malfunctions, the other two still show the same correct time.'
In 1917, the US Navy purchased four chronometer watches from Patek Philippe with consecutive numbers 170414, '415, '416, and '417. Each piece was presented by Patek Philippe to the Geneva Observatory contest in 1913, all achieving exemplary status and were adjusted by legendary timers, the highest paid class of watchmakers, H. Lossier, C. Batifolier, and J. Golay-Audemars. Three pieces with the highest scores were selected into this trio, 170414, '416, and 417, and No. 170415 was excluded, with the lowest score of 217.7. This piece was likely used for other US Navy Observatory purposes.
Before this set of Torpedo Boat Watches made their way to the USS Los Angeles, or what the Navy called the ZR-3, it is likely that US Navy Observatory personnel used them on different astronomical observation expeditions, and other US Navy projects in which accurate time in three isolated time frames was essential.
This trio of watches ranks amongst the finest group of precision watches ever assembled and preserved. There are very few Navigator's Trios known today, and fewer still known to have been used on zeppelins, the world's largest flying machine, and a major asset of the field of aviation.