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拍品專文
Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with tachymeter scale for 1 mile and gold Breguet numerals in 1937 and its subsequent sale on December 8th of the following year.
The extract for this single button chronograph fully confirms all the details one would want to see with a dial from this period: most notably the tachymeter scale calibrated for one mile and silvered dial with Breguet numerals in yellow gold. Additionally the US import mark PXP is on the balance cock confirming this watch was made for the US market in the late 1930s. Less than 16 single-button 130s are known to have been made by Patek Philippe and the presently offered watch is one of two examples known to have a Breguet dial, the other example Movement No. 860094 with a gilt metric Breguet dial, and this lot being Movement No. 860096 with a silvered Breguet dial calibrated for miles. As the only known single button Patek Philippe Ref. 130 with a silvered Breguet dial, the presently lot is as important for its technical rarity as it is for its historical importance.
The ébauche for this unusual watch was commissioned by Patek Philippe and made by Victorin Piguet & Co. of Le Sentier. During the 1920s the company made most of the ébauches for complicated movements, including single button and split seconds chronographs, mainly for prestigious firms like Patek Philippe.
The single button chronograph mechanism is considered to be amongst the most complex and sophisticated marvels of time measurement. Whereas the more commonly found operates the chronograph functions (start - stop - reset) through two buttons in the band, the single button chronograph controls all of these functions through the crown. It is believed that Patek Philippe produced single button chronograph wristwatches only between the mid-1920s and the late 1930s, housed in the typical 1920s tonneau cases or in the well-known "Officier" style cases, featuring either wire or screw lugs. In mid-1930s, Patek Philippe modernized these chronographs by finishing them in the celebrated reference 130 case with snap on back, the firm's first chronograph model which was given a reference number. Under this reference Patek Philippe produced a diversity of models such as the traditional chronograph but also the more exotic single button chronographs. Both types were available with different precious metal as well as stainless steel cases, as popular today as they were when first introduced into the market.
This 130 Single-Button Chronograph was first offered at Christie’s in Geneva on November 13 2001 and sold for 405,750 Swiss francs.
General Henry H. Arnold
Born in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, on June 25th, 1886, Henry Arnold became one of the greatest military figures and aviation pioneers ever known. Affectionately named “Hap” by his friends and colleagues, his career began when he attended the U.S. Military Academy in 1907 and from this point onwards he created history and was regarded so highly that in his retirement he was granted permanent five-star rank as general of the Air Force: an achievement no other had been so privileged to receive before.
Perhaps the most significant of Arnold’s achievements in the field of aviation was becoming Commander of Army Air Forces in 1942, and leading during World War II. During this time he grew the American air army officers significantly from approximately 20,000 men to over 2,000,000 with approximately 4,000 planes increasing to 75,000 under his leadership.
Another hugely significant milestone in Arnold’s career was being taught to fly by the legendary Wright Brothers, who are credited with inventing and building the first successful airplane which flew for the first time in 1903. It is known that since Arnold was instructed by the most attributed duo in aviation at that time for a period of a few months, that this prompted him to go on to teach others as he did at the Signal Corps aviation school in Maryland. It is interesting to note that initially Arnold was known to have a fear of flying, a fear he not only overcame but managed to cast aside in favor of following his destiny for greatness.
Other notable successes include establishing a new altitude by piloting a Burgess-Wright airplane to 6,540 feet in 1912, being the first military aviator to use radio to report observations, and taking part in maneuvers that continuously set world records across many planes.
Retiring from service in 1946, his remarkable life achievements include three Distinguished Service crosses, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal from many countries including Morocco, Yugoslavia, Mexico and France amongst others. Not only a world recognized aviator but also a writer, Arnold wrote a number of books to create interest in youngsters about the field of flying, and also wrote a post-World War II autobiography. Henry H. Arnold died at his ranch home in California on January 15th, 1950.
The present lot should not only be celebrated for its handsome looks and technical advances, but also because it belonged to a man who dedicated more than 42 years to serving his country, and a man happy to do so. It was his constant smile which is where his nickname "Hap" is thought to have originated from: a pleasant addition to the momentous history of this important watch.
The extract for this single button chronograph fully confirms all the details one would want to see with a dial from this period: most notably the tachymeter scale calibrated for one mile and silvered dial with Breguet numerals in yellow gold. Additionally the US import mark PXP is on the balance cock confirming this watch was made for the US market in the late 1930s. Less than 16 single-button 130s are known to have been made by Patek Philippe and the presently offered watch is one of two examples known to have a Breguet dial, the other example Movement No. 860094 with a gilt metric Breguet dial, and this lot being Movement No. 860096 with a silvered Breguet dial calibrated for miles. As the only known single button Patek Philippe Ref. 130 with a silvered Breguet dial, the presently lot is as important for its technical rarity as it is for its historical importance.
The ébauche for this unusual watch was commissioned by Patek Philippe and made by Victorin Piguet & Co. of Le Sentier. During the 1920s the company made most of the ébauches for complicated movements, including single button and split seconds chronographs, mainly for prestigious firms like Patek Philippe.
The single button chronograph mechanism is considered to be amongst the most complex and sophisticated marvels of time measurement. Whereas the more commonly found operates the chronograph functions (start - stop - reset) through two buttons in the band, the single button chronograph controls all of these functions through the crown. It is believed that Patek Philippe produced single button chronograph wristwatches only between the mid-1920s and the late 1930s, housed in the typical 1920s tonneau cases or in the well-known "Officier" style cases, featuring either wire or screw lugs. In mid-1930s, Patek Philippe modernized these chronographs by finishing them in the celebrated reference 130 case with snap on back, the firm's first chronograph model which was given a reference number. Under this reference Patek Philippe produced a diversity of models such as the traditional chronograph but also the more exotic single button chronographs. Both types were available with different precious metal as well as stainless steel cases, as popular today as they were when first introduced into the market.
This 130 Single-Button Chronograph was first offered at Christie’s in Geneva on November 13 2001 and sold for 405,750 Swiss francs.
General Henry H. Arnold
Born in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, on June 25th, 1886, Henry Arnold became one of the greatest military figures and aviation pioneers ever known. Affectionately named “Hap” by his friends and colleagues, his career began when he attended the U.S. Military Academy in 1907 and from this point onwards he created history and was regarded so highly that in his retirement he was granted permanent five-star rank as general of the Air Force: an achievement no other had been so privileged to receive before.
Perhaps the most significant of Arnold’s achievements in the field of aviation was becoming Commander of Army Air Forces in 1942, and leading during World War II. During this time he grew the American air army officers significantly from approximately 20,000 men to over 2,000,000 with approximately 4,000 planes increasing to 75,000 under his leadership.
Another hugely significant milestone in Arnold’s career was being taught to fly by the legendary Wright Brothers, who are credited with inventing and building the first successful airplane which flew for the first time in 1903. It is known that since Arnold was instructed by the most attributed duo in aviation at that time for a period of a few months, that this prompted him to go on to teach others as he did at the Signal Corps aviation school in Maryland. It is interesting to note that initially Arnold was known to have a fear of flying, a fear he not only overcame but managed to cast aside in favor of following his destiny for greatness.
Other notable successes include establishing a new altitude by piloting a Burgess-Wright airplane to 6,540 feet in 1912, being the first military aviator to use radio to report observations, and taking part in maneuvers that continuously set world records across many planes.
Retiring from service in 1946, his remarkable life achievements include three Distinguished Service crosses, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal from many countries including Morocco, Yugoslavia, Mexico and France amongst others. Not only a world recognized aviator but also a writer, Arnold wrote a number of books to create interest in youngsters about the field of flying, and also wrote a post-World War II autobiography. Henry H. Arnold died at his ranch home in California on January 15th, 1950.
The present lot should not only be celebrated for its handsome looks and technical advances, but also because it belonged to a man who dedicated more than 42 years to serving his country, and a man happy to do so. It was his constant smile which is where his nickname "Hap" is thought to have originated from: a pleasant addition to the momentous history of this important watch.