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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming sale of the present clock on July 11th, 1963.
Always at the forefront of horological innovation, Patek Philippe opened its Electronic Division in 1948. Exploring photoelectric, electronic and nuclear timekeeping this department produced the groundbreaking solar clock, the first of its kind. This "Dome" clock is part of the first and now highly collectable series fitted with a 17'''250 mechanical movement, electrically wound and powered through the solar cells.
Featured in Life magazine in 1955 the Patek Philippe solar clock went on a celebrated tour throughout the United States and was eventually retailed in America by Tiffany & Co beginning in 1957.
For a further discussion of photoelectric clocks and Patek Philippe's Electronics Division see Patek Philippe in America by John Reardon p. 162.
Still today Patek Philippe produces few examples of these light-powered timepieces every year, each unique by its individually decorated cases featuring engravings of varying patterns or cloisonné enamel scenes.
The remarkable cloisonné enamel on this clock is signed for the enameler Derrcle. The creativity and skill of its execution places this artist on par with the famed enamelers associated with Patek Philippe such as Suzanne Rohr, has been dedicating her talent since her youth to the creation of extremely fine enamel decorations for Patek Philippe's prestigious timepieces.
The enameling of a woman as a Titian-haired goddess holding the sun and moon comes to represent time and the passing of day and night, with the rooster representing the diurnal hours and the owl standing for the nocturne.
To the best of our knowledge, this clock has never before been offered in public.
Further accompanied by a red leather Patek Philippe presentation box also signed by the retailer Joyeria Ricciardi, Buenos Aires- Mar del Playa- Paris.
Always at the forefront of horological innovation, Patek Philippe opened its Electronic Division in 1948. Exploring photoelectric, electronic and nuclear timekeeping this department produced the groundbreaking solar clock, the first of its kind. This "Dome" clock is part of the first and now highly collectable series fitted with a 17'''250 mechanical movement, electrically wound and powered through the solar cells.
Featured in Life magazine in 1955 the Patek Philippe solar clock went on a celebrated tour throughout the United States and was eventually retailed in America by Tiffany & Co beginning in 1957.
For a further discussion of photoelectric clocks and Patek Philippe's Electronics Division see Patek Philippe in America by John Reardon p. 162.
Still today Patek Philippe produces few examples of these light-powered timepieces every year, each unique by its individually decorated cases featuring engravings of varying patterns or cloisonné enamel scenes.
The remarkable cloisonné enamel on this clock is signed for the enameler Derrcle. The creativity and skill of its execution places this artist on par with the famed enamelers associated with Patek Philippe such as Suzanne Rohr, has been dedicating her talent since her youth to the creation of extremely fine enamel decorations for Patek Philippe's prestigious timepieces.
The enameling of a woman as a Titian-haired goddess holding the sun and moon comes to represent time and the passing of day and night, with the rooster representing the diurnal hours and the owl standing for the nocturne.
To the best of our knowledge, this clock has never before been offered in public.
Further accompanied by a red leather Patek Philippe presentation box also signed by the retailer Joyeria Ricciardi, Buenos Aires- Mar del Playa- Paris.