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Lot Essay
Fresh to market and from the family of the original owner, the present Patek Philippe reference 605 HU (for 'Heure Univeselle') is a marvelous and early example, distinct by the charming hand-engraved sun and moon on the 24-hours disk.
Reference 605 HU
Manufactured for nearly 30 years beginning in 1937 and ceasing in 1964, it is believed that Patek Philippe manufactured a total of only 95 examples of the reference 605 HU world time pocket watch, making it an incredibly rare timepiece. 68 of the watches were manufactured in yellow gold and 27 in pink gold. Available in metal or cloisonné enamel dials, sometimes being unique, these timepieces feature cities of the world in which those frequently changed over the decades of production, telling the story of civilization's transformation of industry into modernity.
Heure Universelle & Louis Cottier
The world time or “Heure Universelle” mechanism was invented in 1931 by the celebrated Geneva watchmaker Louis Cottier (1894-1966). The technology was incorporated into watches by several of Switzerland's leading watch firms, including Patek Philippe (ref. 605, 1415, 2523), Vacheron & Constantin (ref. 3372), Agassiz and Rolex (ref. 4262). Cottier further improved the system in 1953 with the ability to adjust the city disk via a secondary crown, this allowed Patek Philippe to eventually patent a system in 1958 where the hour hand could be moved without affecting the regular progression of the minute hand.
Reference 605 HU
Manufactured for nearly 30 years beginning in 1937 and ceasing in 1964, it is believed that Patek Philippe manufactured a total of only 95 examples of the reference 605 HU world time pocket watch, making it an incredibly rare timepiece. 68 of the watches were manufactured in yellow gold and 27 in pink gold. Available in metal or cloisonné enamel dials, sometimes being unique, these timepieces feature cities of the world in which those frequently changed over the decades of production, telling the story of civilization's transformation of industry into modernity.
Heure Universelle & Louis Cottier
The world time or “Heure Universelle” mechanism was invented in 1931 by the celebrated Geneva watchmaker Louis Cottier (1894-1966). The technology was incorporated into watches by several of Switzerland's leading watch firms, including Patek Philippe (ref. 605, 1415, 2523), Vacheron & Constantin (ref. 3372), Agassiz and Rolex (ref. 4262). Cottier further improved the system in 1953 with the ability to adjust the city disk via a secondary crown, this allowed Patek Philippe to eventually patent a system in 1958 where the hour hand could be moved without affecting the regular progression of the minute hand.