Signed Patek Philippe & Co. à Genève, no. 3'922, manufactured in 1850

Very rare and unusual, this exquisite object de vertu is one of only approximately thirty lorgnette watches ever made by Patek Philippe. All were produced between the late 1840s and early 1850s in beautifully decorated cases with or without enamel, diamond or other decoration with a concealed watch beneath the spring-loaded cover. The specially shaped large rectangular movements used in these pieces are described in the archives as “for lorgnette” although they were also used in other objects incorporating watches. The ébauches were supplied by Audemars.
Other examples, including an almost identical lorgnette are in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and illustrated in: Patek Philippe Watches Volume I, Patek Philippe Museum, pp. 136-140.