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Lot Essay
Today, the best lady’s watches of the 1970s by the great watch manufactures such as Patek Philippe are highly sought after as haute couture objects, their innate style and workmanship having stood the test of time.
Available in either yellow or white gold, reference 4119 was launched in 1971, the bracelet links and case are of the same shape similarly textured bezels. The links contain white gold plates set with fragments of chalcopyrite and surrounded by bronze powder, resembling butterfly wings. Due to their artisan method of production, the model was made in a very small number. Chalcopyrite is a mineral, also known as Peacock Ore because of its iridescent green, blue, pink, purple, and gold colours resembling the feathers of a peacock. The colours originate from the oxidation of copper and iron in the crystal.
Propelled by the incredible creative momentum of the period, lady’s wristwatches became, in the hands of the best watch manufacturers, extraordinarily beautiful creations and for the first time in many decades, absolutely of the moment. At the dawn of the 1970s, there was 'an unrestrained explosion of creativity'. This was an exciting time for goldsmiths, lapidaries and designers when lady’s watches and jewellery emerged as serious sculptural works of art.
What precipitated this gear shift away from the traditional lady’s watch was the growth of the fashion industry during the 1960s and 70s and the need for jewellery and accessories of style and superb craftsmanship to complement and even enhance the haute couture fashions being produced by the great international design houses. Several of the famous watch manufactures in particular Patek Philippe began to employ young jewellers and designers to whom they gave unprecedented artistic freedom. The level of craftsmanship was exceptional, often influenced by natural forms, the goldsmiths creating a plethora of organic and incredibly confident forms in gold, sometimes set with precious or more often colourful semi-precious stones.
Available in either yellow or white gold, reference 4119 was launched in 1971, the bracelet links and case are of the same shape similarly textured bezels. The links contain white gold plates set with fragments of chalcopyrite and surrounded by bronze powder, resembling butterfly wings. Due to their artisan method of production, the model was made in a very small number. Chalcopyrite is a mineral, also known as Peacock Ore because of its iridescent green, blue, pink, purple, and gold colours resembling the feathers of a peacock. The colours originate from the oxidation of copper and iron in the crystal.
Propelled by the incredible creative momentum of the period, lady’s wristwatches became, in the hands of the best watch manufacturers, extraordinarily beautiful creations and for the first time in many decades, absolutely of the moment. At the dawn of the 1970s, there was 'an unrestrained explosion of creativity'. This was an exciting time for goldsmiths, lapidaries and designers when lady’s watches and jewellery emerged as serious sculptural works of art.
What precipitated this gear shift away from the traditional lady’s watch was the growth of the fashion industry during the 1960s and 70s and the need for jewellery and accessories of style and superb craftsmanship to complement and even enhance the haute couture fashions being produced by the great international design houses. Several of the famous watch manufactures in particular Patek Philippe began to employ young jewellers and designers to whom they gave unprecedented artistic freedom. The level of craftsmanship was exceptional, often influenced by natural forms, the goldsmiths creating a plethora of organic and incredibly confident forms in gold, sometimes set with precious or more often colourful semi-precious stones.