Lot Essay
We are thrilled to offer this extraordinarily beautiful and probably unique necklace with concealed watch from the ‘Joyaux de la Mer’ series - a glorious example of the very best of early 1960s design, created for Patek Philippe by arguably the greatest haute joaillerie designer of the time, Gilbert Albert. In 1961, Albert was at the very peak of his creative talent and indeed the present necklace watch can be regarded as one of his masterpieces. Inspired by the undersea world, it is a triumph of naturalistic design translated perfectly into precious 18k gold of various colours and set with variously sized lustrous pearls.
Regarded as important artworks and highpoints in modern ‘haute couture’ jewellery design when created by Gilbert Albert, in common with all great design, the innate style of these pieces transcends the vagaries of fashion, as utterly contemporary today as it was nearly sixty years ago.
Gilbert Albert (1930-2019)
Gilbert Albert was born in Geneva in 1930. After studying Jewellery and Designing at Geneva's Ecole des Arts Industriels, he joined Patek Philippe as designer and head of the workshop. During the seven years with the celebrated manufacturer, he created the firm's most daring designs, most notably the asymmetrical models from the famous ‘Ricochet’ series. Gilbert Albert took his inspiration from his passion for modern art, notably works by Brancusi and Mondrian, his daring and unconventional case designs are considered as cutting-edge today as they were 50 years ago.
His outstanding creations gained the prestigious 'Oscar' award at the Diamonds International Awards no less than ten times, three for Patek Philippe, two for Omega and five times under his own name. In 1962, he opened his own workshop in Geneva, specializing in the design and manufacture of unique jewels and objects. Gilbert Albert handles material in a supreme manner, shaping precious metal and mixing rare stones in an unconventional blend made of dreams, delicacy and magic.
Over the years, Albert's work has been exhibited around the world from London to Tokyo, Johannesburg to New York. In 1991, he was the first living artist since 1917 to be invited to show his creations in the Moscow Kremlin. Every year, Gilbert Albert launched new creations such as 'Scarabées et Bijoux', 'Les Bijoux de la Nature', 'Météorites et Bijoux', 'Les Joyaux de la Mer', 'Les Porcelaines de la Nature', 'Les Uniques', 'Les Joyaux Coralliens', the shapes combined with the materials used paying tribute to his genius.
Regarded as important artworks and highpoints in modern ‘haute couture’ jewellery design when created by Gilbert Albert, in common with all great design, the innate style of these pieces transcends the vagaries of fashion, as utterly contemporary today as it was nearly sixty years ago.
Gilbert Albert (1930-2019)
Gilbert Albert was born in Geneva in 1930. After studying Jewellery and Designing at Geneva's Ecole des Arts Industriels, he joined Patek Philippe as designer and head of the workshop. During the seven years with the celebrated manufacturer, he created the firm's most daring designs, most notably the asymmetrical models from the famous ‘Ricochet’ series. Gilbert Albert took his inspiration from his passion for modern art, notably works by Brancusi and Mondrian, his daring and unconventional case designs are considered as cutting-edge today as they were 50 years ago.
His outstanding creations gained the prestigious 'Oscar' award at the Diamonds International Awards no less than ten times, three for Patek Philippe, two for Omega and five times under his own name. In 1962, he opened his own workshop in Geneva, specializing in the design and manufacture of unique jewels and objects. Gilbert Albert handles material in a supreme manner, shaping precious metal and mixing rare stones in an unconventional blend made of dreams, delicacy and magic.
Over the years, Albert's work has been exhibited around the world from London to Tokyo, Johannesburg to New York. In 1991, he was the first living artist since 1917 to be invited to show his creations in the Moscow Kremlin. Every year, Gilbert Albert launched new creations such as 'Scarabées et Bijoux', 'Les Bijoux de la Nature', 'Météorites et Bijoux', 'Les Joyaux de la Mer', 'Les Porcelaines de la Nature', 'Les Uniques', 'Les Joyaux Coralliens', the shapes combined with the materials used paying tribute to his genius.