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Lot Essay
An exceptional mid-century vintage rarity from Patek Philippe, the present pink gold reference 725⁄2 can be regarded as one of the greatest prizes for any serious collector today.
Rarely seen at auction, reference 725⁄2 is among the most elusive models of Patek Philippe’s post-war pocket watches. Excitingly, to the best of our knowledge, the present timepiece is one of only two publicly known examples in pink gold. The other known example, featuring the preceding movement no. 931’091, was sold at Christie’s Geneva on May 13, 2013 (lot 41).
Made in two principal series with several design variations, the first series - like the present timepiece - features four subsidiary dials, while the second series features a single linear 'American Calendar' aperture. Interestingly, the present timepiece was made for the French market, as indicated by the double French ‘owl’ importation gold marks stamped on the pendant. It was most likely sold through Patek Philippe’s French distributor at the time, Jean Guillermin.
The superb dial, crafted by Stern Frères, boasts a matte silvered finish with applied yellow gold hand-cut Arabic numerals and dots. The case was made by Wenger - one of the finest Geneva master case makers - and is stamped with his hallmark, a number 1 within a key, on the interior of the back. Constructed in three pieces with a snapped bezel and back, the case remains in excellent condition, maintaining its full proportions. The movement is the exceptionally highly finished caliber 17’’’170Q, featuring an instantaneous perpetual calendar modification by Victorin Piguet and adjusted for heat, cold, isochronism, and five positions.
The Perpetual Calendar reference 725-2 is a highly significant timepiece. Not only is it incredibly beautiful, but its aesthetic design also directly influenced every great perpetual calendar wristwatch reference that followed. As such, this model holds equal importance for both wristwatch and pocket watch collectors. Notably, the legendary watch collector Henry Graves Jr. selected a platinum reference 725-2 in 1947, engraved on the back with his coat of arms and motto. That watch is now a highlight of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
Rarely seen at auction, reference 725⁄2 is among the most elusive models of Patek Philippe’s post-war pocket watches. Excitingly, to the best of our knowledge, the present timepiece is one of only two publicly known examples in pink gold. The other known example, featuring the preceding movement no. 931’091, was sold at Christie’s Geneva on May 13, 2013 (lot 41).
Made in two principal series with several design variations, the first series - like the present timepiece - features four subsidiary dials, while the second series features a single linear 'American Calendar' aperture. Interestingly, the present timepiece was made for the French market, as indicated by the double French ‘owl’ importation gold marks stamped on the pendant. It was most likely sold through Patek Philippe’s French distributor at the time, Jean Guillermin.
The superb dial, crafted by Stern Frères, boasts a matte silvered finish with applied yellow gold hand-cut Arabic numerals and dots. The case was made by Wenger - one of the finest Geneva master case makers - and is stamped with his hallmark, a number 1 within a key, on the interior of the back. Constructed in three pieces with a snapped bezel and back, the case remains in excellent condition, maintaining its full proportions. The movement is the exceptionally highly finished caliber 17’’’170Q, featuring an instantaneous perpetual calendar modification by Victorin Piguet and adjusted for heat, cold, isochronism, and five positions.
The Perpetual Calendar reference 725-2 is a highly significant timepiece. Not only is it incredibly beautiful, but its aesthetic design also directly influenced every great perpetual calendar wristwatch reference that followed. As such, this model holds equal importance for both wristwatch and pocket watch collectors. Notably, the legendary watch collector Henry Graves Jr. selected a platinum reference 725-2 in 1947, engraved on the back with his coat of arms and motto. That watch is now a highlight of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.