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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated 6 November 2012 inside a brown leather map containing information regarding reference 1623 "Ptolemy and Copernicus", photos and instructions. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe fitted veneered presentation box and outer packaging as well as brown cardboard protection box.
Patek Philippe opened its Electronic Division in 1948 with the goal of exploring photoelectric, electronic, and nuclear timekeeping. The department produced the groundbreaking solar clock, the first of its kind. In 1955, the solar-powered photoelectric clocks were exhibited at the 1955 World Symposium, and displayed at the Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts. In the 1960's, Patek Philippe began using quartz technology in its clock production, and began phasing out the use of solar versions. These "Dome" clocks are highly collectable, and often feature a unique and individually decorated case, featuring cloisonn enamel scenes.
Towards the end of the 1940's, the Swiss watchmaking industry revived the technique of cloisonné enamel. This technique uses fine bands (filaments) of gold or copper to outline the design subject, which are then soldered to the surface of a plate. The empty spaces are then filled with ground enamel and fired multiple times so that the surface becomes perfectly level. Patek Philippe's enamellers take up to one year to complete such a dome clock and less than a handful can be complete each year at their workshops.
The cloisonné enamel scene on the present clock is called "Ptolemy and Copernicus". Claudius Ptolemy, Greco-Roman writer of Alexandria, known as a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet of a single epigram in the Greek Anthology. Nicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance mathematician and astronomer who formulated a heliocentric model of the universe which placed the Sun, rather than the Earth, at the center. Galileo Galilei, also depicted, was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations and support for Copernicanism.
Patek Philippe opened its Electronic Division in 1948 with the goal of exploring photoelectric, electronic, and nuclear timekeeping. The department produced the groundbreaking solar clock, the first of its kind. In 1955, the solar-powered photoelectric clocks were exhibited at the 1955 World Symposium, and displayed at the Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts. In the 1960's, Patek Philippe began using quartz technology in its clock production, and began phasing out the use of solar versions. These "Dome" clocks are highly collectable, and often feature a unique and individually decorated case, featuring cloisonn enamel scenes.
Towards the end of the 1940's, the Swiss watchmaking industry revived the technique of cloisonné enamel. This technique uses fine bands (filaments) of gold or copper to outline the design subject, which are then soldered to the surface of a plate. The empty spaces are then filled with ground enamel and fired multiple times so that the surface becomes perfectly level. Patek Philippe's enamellers take up to one year to complete such a dome clock and less than a handful can be complete each year at their workshops.
The cloisonné enamel scene on the present clock is called "Ptolemy and Copernicus". Claudius Ptolemy, Greco-Roman writer of Alexandria, known as a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet of a single epigram in the Greek Anthology. Nicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance mathematician and astronomer who formulated a heliocentric model of the universe which placed the Sun, rather than the Earth, at the center. Galileo Galilei, also depicted, was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations and support for Copernicanism.