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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present half hunter case watch with enamel dial, blue Roman numerals to the cover and engraved monogram Z.C. to the case back in 1889 and its subsequent sale on 31 July 1890.
To the best of our knowledge, this watch has never been offered in public before. With its 8 lignes movement it is amongst Patek Philippe's smallest watches with a cylinder movement and furthermore one of only three half hunter Patek Philippe watches of this size known to date. More complex and costly to be made than its hunter case or full cover peers, the half-hunter case is distinguished by the small aperture in the front allowing to read the time even with the cover closed, hence protecting the dial against damages.
The company's smallest watch with a diameter of only 9.023 mm. and a 4 lignes keywound cylinder movement was exhibited at the London World Exhibition in 1851 (see Patek Philippe Pocketwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, p. 106, pl. 13). The second smallest example featuring a keyless 5 lignes cylinder movement was manufactured in 1893 and numbered 97'332. The possibly third smallest example with a keyless 6 lignes lever movement no. 97'364, manufactured in 1893, was sold in this saleroom on 18 May 2004 for SFr. 59,750 (lot 87).
To the best of our knowledge, this watch has never been offered in public before. With its 8 lignes movement it is amongst Patek Philippe's smallest watches with a cylinder movement and furthermore one of only three half hunter Patek Philippe watches of this size known to date. More complex and costly to be made than its hunter case or full cover peers, the half-hunter case is distinguished by the small aperture in the front allowing to read the time even with the cover closed, hence protecting the dial against damages.
The company's smallest watch with a diameter of only 9.023 mm. and a 4 lignes keywound cylinder movement was exhibited at the London World Exhibition in 1851 (see Patek Philippe Pocketwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, p. 106, pl. 13). The second smallest example featuring a keyless 5 lignes cylinder movement was manufactured in 1893 and numbered 97'332. The possibly third smallest example with a keyless 6 lignes lever movement no. 97'364, manufactured in 1893, was sold in this saleroom on 18 May 2004 for SFr. 59,750 (lot 87).