Patek Philippe. A rare and important 18K gold openface keyless lever watch with one minute tourbillon

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, NO. 198410, CIRCA 1931, AWARDED FIRST PRIZE AT THE GENEVA OBSERVATORY CHRONOMETER COMPETITION IN 1932

Details

Patek Philippe. A rare and important 18K gold openface keyless lever watch with one minute tourbillon
Signed Patek Philippe, Geneve, No. 198410, circa 1931, Awarded First Prize at the Geneva Observatory Chronometer Competition in 1932
17''' lignes (38 mm.), with nickel-finished lever movement, 18 jewels, Guillaume balance, one minute tourbillon by Hector Golay with steel three-arm carriage and micrometer regulation, the movement stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva, glazed dust cover, the silvered matte dial with applied gold baton numerals, gold dauphine hands, engine-turned subsidiary seconds, the plain circular case with hinged back (No. 617817), together with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, accompanied by Observatoire de Geneve Certificate and photocopies of the original Obervatoire de Geneve Bulletin de Depot and timing statistics, case, dial and movement signed
49 mm. diam.

Further details

THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN

On November 10th, 1801, horological legend Abraham Louis Breguet (1747-1823) received a patent for his ingenious tourbillon invention. Breguet designed the tourbillon (or whirlwind) to compensate for fluctuations and errors in time measurement caused by the position a watch is placed in. For example, watches with traditional movements may keep excellent time when resting on a desk horizontally, but when that same watch is placed vertically in a pocket, gravity affects the frequency or rate of the escapement) and thus its accuracy. Breguet's invention compensated for these gravitational effects by placing the escapement in a revolving carriage. As the tourbillon carriage revolves (usually one entire revolution per minute), its position constantly changes and consequently the fluctuations in rate caused by gravity are averaged out. Once a tourbillon watch is properly adjusted, the effects of gravity are essentially nullified, regardless of how it is positioned.

Precision timekeeping has always been vital to the scientific community, and in 1873, the first annual chronometer competition was held at the Geneva Astronomical Observatory. Rigorous quantitative internationally recognized testing standards were established. The testing, which initially lasted for 40 days, consisted of placing the watches in various positions and temperature conditions. The prestigious watchmakers Patek Philippe were awarded First Prize in the competition as early as 1884.

The present lot, an 18K gold openface keyless lever watch with tourbillon produced by Patek Philippe in 1931, was awarded First Prize in its category with 787.7 points at the 1932 Geneva Astronomical Observatory competition after 44 days of testing. Hector Golay produced the tourbillon carriage, and Francois Madoux regulated the watch for the competition. The watch has been with the same family for generations.

Although two centuries have passed since its invention, the tourbillon is still relevant to the contemporary watch industry. Today, history's most famous manufacturers, including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Breguet and Vacheron & Constantin, as well as contemporary firms like Gerald Genta, Daniel Roth and Franck Muller, all produce a limited number of tourbillon watches each year.

Lot Essay

Patek Philippe confirm production of this watch, movement number 198410, in 1931 and its subsequent sale on July 29th, 1938.

A very similar example, movement number 198409, also with tourbillon carriage by Hector Golay, is illustrated in the inside cover of Patek Philippe by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery and on page 176.

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