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Lot Essay
Accompanied by an Extract from the Patek Philippe Archives confirming the date of manufacture of the "Fishes" as 1940 and its subsequent sale on January 10th, 1947.
According to our research, the present watch has never before appeared at auction.
The advertisement from the Henri Stern Watch Agency, Inc. details that this watch was "a special one-of-a-kind exhibition piece. Fish bangle bracelet, hand wrought in 18K gold, set with diamonds and sapphires, $1625. Federal Tax included." The advertisement, copyrighted 1947, matches the original sale date of the "Fishes".
According to research, Patek Philippe ordered this piece to be made by the son of the famed jeweler Ponti of Ponti-Gennari, both working in Geneva. The "Fishes" most likely first appeared at the 1942 "Montres & Bijoux" international exhibition in Geneva. Patek Philippe was a founding member for this event and would have needed such an unusual "milestone" piece like this bangle bracelet. It remains difficult to know if this watch was made specifically for this Geneva show as it appears that until its sale in 1947 the watch was exhibited at various worldwide exhibitions to advertise the company and display their superb mastery of fashion jewelry timepieces.
This unique and extraordinary piece truly displays Patek Philippe's ongoing love and dedication for exploring and reinventing design in their field.
According to our research, the present watch has never before appeared at auction.
The advertisement from the Henri Stern Watch Agency, Inc. details that this watch was "a special one-of-a-kind exhibition piece. Fish bangle bracelet, hand wrought in 18K gold, set with diamonds and sapphires, $1625. Federal Tax included." The advertisement, copyrighted 1947, matches the original sale date of the "Fishes".
According to research, Patek Philippe ordered this piece to be made by the son of the famed jeweler Ponti of Ponti-Gennari, both working in Geneva. The "Fishes" most likely first appeared at the 1942 "Montres & Bijoux" international exhibition in Geneva. Patek Philippe was a founding member for this event and would have needed such an unusual "milestone" piece like this bangle bracelet. It remains difficult to know if this watch was made specifically for this Geneva show as it appears that until its sale in 1947 the watch was exhibited at various worldwide exhibitions to advertise the company and display their superb mastery of fashion jewelry timepieces.
This unique and extraordinary piece truly displays Patek Philippe's ongoing love and dedication for exploring and reinventing design in their field.