FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION OF ERIC CLAPTON Born in Surrey, England on 30 March 1945, Eric Clapton became captivated by music at an early age. He surrounded himself with the music of acoustic Delta blues legend Robert Johnson, the electric sound of Chicago bluesman Muddy Waters, and any other blues record he could get his hands on. During his music career, Clapton has proved time and time again his status as a master bluesman, playing in such influential bands as the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie, Derek and the Dominoes, and as a legendary solo artist. He has established his own distinct style while always playing homage to his early influences. Clapton's lifetime achievements are no less staggering. He remains the only artist to be inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame three times - for his work as a solo performer, and his work with the Yardbirds and Cream. During the last several years he has been devoted to the Crossroads Centre at Antigua, an international non-profit facility he established for alcohol and drug dependency treatment. The present watch pays tribute to Eric Clapton's other passion, the collecting of fine and rare wristwatches signed by the world's most celebrated watchmakers.

Patek Philippe. An extremely fine and rare 18K pink gold water-resistant chronograph wristwatch

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, RETAILED BY SERPICO Y LAINO, CARACAS, VENEZUELA, REF. 1463, MOVEMENT NO. 867'932, CASE NO. 657'138, MANUFACTURED IN 1950

Details

Patek Philippe. An extremely fine and rare 18K pink gold water-resistant chronograph wristwatch
Signed Patek Philippe, Geneve, retailed by Serpico y Laino, Caracas, Venezuela, ref. 1463, movement no. 867'932, case no. 657'138, manufactured in 1950
Cal. 13''' nickel-finished lever movement, 23 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance, swan neck regulator, metal dust cover, the silvered matte dial with applied pink gold baton and Roman numerals, outer ring calibrated for railway five minute divisions and tachymetre scale, two subsidiary dials indicating constant seconds and 30 minutes register, in circular water-resistant-type case with screw back, downturned lugs, two round chronograph buttons in the band, 18K pink gold Patek Philippe buckle, case signed by maker and stamped with retailer's initials S.&L., dial signed by maker and retailer, movement signed by maker
35 mm. diam.

Provenance

Property from the Collection of Eric Clapton, Christie's New York Important Pocket Watches and Wristwatches, 5 June 2003, lot 185.

Further Details

END OF FIRST SESSION

Lot Essay

Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of the present watch in 1950 and its subsequent sale on 12 April 1951.

Reference 1463 was launched in 1940 and remained in production until 1965. The majority was cased in yellow gold; examples in pink gold are exceedingly rare and were often reserved for the South American market, like the present watch. According to research, no more than four examples of pink gold references 1463 retailed by Serpico y Laino have been offered in public to date.

The desirability of the present watch resides in the exclusive combination of the pink gold case, retailer's signature and provenance, further enhanced by the excellent condition.

Both dial and case back of the watch are signed respectively stamped with the initials S.&L. for Serpico y Laino, Patek Philippe's prestigious retailer in Caracas, Venezuela.

The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 267.

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