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Lot Essay
Please note that Christie’s has applied for an ‘Extract from the Archives’ from Patek Philippe Archives but the Extract has not yet been issued and may not be available by the date of the auction.
The present bracelet watch is a superb example of early 1960s contemporary design. Stylised yet naturalistic, it captures the allure of textured gold embellished with diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds set in a seemingly random pattern. The dial is discreetly concealed beneath a hinged panel, perfectly integrated to maintain the uninterrupted elegance of the bracelet.
Highly innovative for its time, this creation epitomises the modern and visionary spirit born from the inventive collaboration between Patek Philippe and the celebrated jewellery designer Gilbert Albert. During this period, Albert served as chief designer at Patek Philippe, and he was most likely the creative mind behind this rare and striking lady’s watch - a piece that bears all the hallmarks of his distinctive style.
Reference 3266 was introduced in the late 1950s, with each example produced as a unique variation. It is therefore possible that the present timepiece is a one-of-a-kind piece made upon special request, as, to the best of our knowledge, no other example of this precise model has appeared on the market.
Regarded as true works of art and milestones of modern haute couture, the watch designs created by Gilbert Albert for Patek Philippe possess a timeless aesthetic - an innate elegance that remains as contemporary today as it was more than 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.
The present bracelet watch is a superb example of early 1960s contemporary design. Stylised yet naturalistic, it captures the allure of textured gold embellished with diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds set in a seemingly random pattern. The dial is discreetly concealed beneath a hinged panel, perfectly integrated to maintain the uninterrupted elegance of the bracelet.
Highly innovative for its time, this creation epitomises the modern and visionary spirit born from the inventive collaboration between Patek Philippe and the celebrated jewellery designer Gilbert Albert. During this period, Albert served as chief designer at Patek Philippe, and he was most likely the creative mind behind this rare and striking lady’s watch - a piece that bears all the hallmarks of his distinctive style.
Reference 3266 was introduced in the late 1950s, with each example produced as a unique variation. It is therefore possible that the present timepiece is a one-of-a-kind piece made upon special request, as, to the best of our knowledge, no other example of this precise model has appeared on the market.
Regarded as true works of art and milestones of modern haute couture, the watch designs created by Gilbert Albert for Patek Philippe possess a timeless aesthetic - an innate elegance that remains as contemporary today as it was more than 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.