.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with representation of St. George and the dragon to the back in 1883 and its subsequent sale on 22 January 1884.
To the best of our knowledge, this watch is one of only three comparable silver "St. George" watches known to date. Its rarity is further enhanced by the unusual combination of a chased silver case and the sweep centre seconds.
A nearly identical watch bearing number 69'484, two numbers preceeding to the present watch, sold on 11 May 1884, also with silver case featuring "St. George Scene" and sweep centre seconds is illustrated in Patek Philippe by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, p. 125, pl. 49 a & b.
St. George, patron of England and legendary slayer of the Dragon, was an early Christian who was martyred under the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in A. D. 303.
The banner of St. George, the red cross of a martyr on a white background, was adopted for the uniform of English soldiers possibly in the reign of Richard the First, and later became the flag of England and the White Ensign of the Royal Navy.
The back of the present watch depicts the St. George talisman, showing St. George on horseback, thrusting his lance at a dragon and the inscription "S. GEORGIUS EQUITUM PATRONUS" (St. George, protector of knights) on one side. The reverse shows a ship in full sail on a rough sea and Christ asleep on the deck with two terrified apostles, a wind blows through a small cloud into the sail and the inscription "IN TEMPESTATE SECURITAS" (protection in the storm).
To the best of our knowledge, this watch is one of only three comparable silver "St. George" watches known to date. Its rarity is further enhanced by the unusual combination of a chased silver case and the sweep centre seconds.
A nearly identical watch bearing number 69'484, two numbers preceeding to the present watch, sold on 11 May 1884, also with silver case featuring "St. George Scene" and sweep centre seconds is illustrated in Patek Philippe by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, p. 125, pl. 49 a & b.
St. George, patron of England and legendary slayer of the Dragon, was an early Christian who was martyred under the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in A. D. 303.
The banner of St. George, the red cross of a martyr on a white background, was adopted for the uniform of English soldiers possibly in the reign of Richard the First, and later became the flag of England and the White Ensign of the Royal Navy.
The back of the present watch depicts the St. George talisman, showing St. George on horseback, thrusting his lance at a dragon and the inscription "S. GEORGIUS EQUITUM PATRONUS" (St. George, protector of knights) on one side. The reverse shows a ship in full sail on a rough sea and Christ asleep on the deck with two terrified apostles, a wind blows through a small cloud into the sail and the inscription "IN TEMPESTATE SECURITAS" (protection in the storm).