.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, instructions, leather folder and box. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 2005 with gold plated dial and satiné finished texture, and its subsequent sale on 20 January 2005.
This watch, never before seen on the market, is offered by its original owner, who purchased it at the Patek Philippe Salon in Geneva, in almost unworn condition. It is an example of reference 844, introduced in the 1960s and still available in the early 2000s on request. Originally, there were two very similar references: 843 and 844, differing from each other only for extremely minor case detail (the bow and crown bloc construction) and the diameter, with reference 844 slightly larger than 843. This similarity was so overwhelming that clients and the company itself tended to make confusion between the two models, and soon the two references were merged under the code 844. Over its nearly 40 years of production, it is estimated that only around 80 examples of this reference were delivered. It is known in yellow and white gold.
It is interest to compare the case and dial design of reference 844, with that of what can be considered its wrist counterpart: reference 3448. The similarity is striking, and is an example of how fashion trends influence the design of timepieces across the board, whether they are pocket, or wrist. Indeed, both the dial and the case construction of the two references are extremely similar. Some of the minute differences are the stepped bezel of reference 844 versus the more conservative blank bezel of 3448, and the even more simplified dial of reference 844 - defined by the linear calendar, also known as "American" because of the month/day disposition - versus the marginally more complex dial of reference 3448 with the date ring around the moon phases.
One interesting detail about this lot is the presence on the dial of the movement number. The very last examples of reference 844 bear such designation, but the reason behind it is unknown. The only certainty is that examples of reference 844 with this particularity are even scarcer specimens of this already outstandingly rare model.
A similar model is prominently illustrated and described in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches Vol. I, pp. 386-387.
This watch, never before seen on the market, is offered by its original owner, who purchased it at the Patek Philippe Salon in Geneva, in almost unworn condition. It is an example of reference 844, introduced in the 1960s and still available in the early 2000s on request. Originally, there were two very similar references: 843 and 844, differing from each other only for extremely minor case detail (the bow and crown bloc construction) and the diameter, with reference 844 slightly larger than 843. This similarity was so overwhelming that clients and the company itself tended to make confusion between the two models, and soon the two references were merged under the code 844. Over its nearly 40 years of production, it is estimated that only around 80 examples of this reference were delivered. It is known in yellow and white gold.
It is interest to compare the case and dial design of reference 844, with that of what can be considered its wrist counterpart: reference 3448. The similarity is striking, and is an example of how fashion trends influence the design of timepieces across the board, whether they are pocket, or wrist. Indeed, both the dial and the case construction of the two references are extremely similar. Some of the minute differences are the stepped bezel of reference 844 versus the more conservative blank bezel of 3448, and the even more simplified dial of reference 844 - defined by the linear calendar, also known as "American" because of the month/day disposition - versus the marginally more complex dial of reference 3448 with the date ring around the moon phases.
One interesting detail about this lot is the presence on the dial of the movement number. The very last examples of reference 844 bear such designation, but the reason behind it is unknown. The only certainty is that examples of reference 844 with this particularity are even scarcer specimens of this already outstandingly rare model.
A similar model is prominently illustrated and described in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches Vol. I, pp. 386-387.