The following two lots, 217 and 218, are believed to be from a small series of 200 openface dress watches, ref. 600/1, and 150 wristwatches, ref. 2481, made as of 1953 to special order possibly in memory of King Saud bin Abdul Aziz. The watches were all fitted with ivory-coloured enamel dials with ruby-set numerals and bearing the King's portrait and given as gifts to dignitaries or friends of his Majesty. Saud bin Abdul Aziz was the son of the founder of Saudi Arabia and the country's first King, Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud (1880?-1953); he succeeded his father as King of Saudi Arabia from 1953 to 1964.

Patek Philippe. A very fine and rare 18K pink gold openface keyless lever watch with ruby-set enamel dial with the portrait of King Saud bin Abdul Aziz

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE & CO., GENEVE, REF. 600/1, MOVEMENT NO. 931'290, CASE NO. 689'476, MANUFACTURED IN 1955

Details

Patek Philippe. A very fine and rare 18K pink gold openface keyless lever watch with ruby-set enamel dial with the portrait of King Saud bin Abdul Aziz
Signed Patek Philippe & Co., Geneve, ref. 600/1, movement no. 931'290, case no. 689'476, manufactured in 1955
Cal. 17'''170 nickel-finished lever movement, 18 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance, micrometer regulator, the ivory-coloured enamel dial with the polychrome portrait of King Saud bin Abdul Aziz, applied gold-mounted ruby-set numerals, gold dauphine hands, subsidiary seconds, in plain circular case with snap on back, case, dial and movement signed
45 mm. diam.

Sale Room Notice

Please note that lots 217 and 218 feature the portrait of King Saud bin Abdul Aziz, King of Saudi Arabia from 1953 to 1964. He succeeded his father King Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia and the country's first king.
Veuillez noter que les lots 217 et 218 montrent le portrait du Roi Saud bin Abdul Aziz, Roi de l'Arabie Saoudite de 1953 a 1964. Il succedait a son pere Roi Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud, le fondateur de l'Arabie Saoudite et le premier roi du pays.

Lot Essay

Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with enamel dial, painted portrait of the King of Saudi Arabia and ruby hour markers in 1955 and its subsequent sale on 5 June 1956.

This watch has never been offered at auction before and impresses by its excellent, like new condition. It is furthermore believed to be one of only 20 examples of this reference to appear in public to date.

Reference 600 was launched in 1957 and made in different versions:

- ref. 600 with standard metal dial
- ref. 600/1, the present reference, with enamel dial

It is interesting to note that the cases of these two references have a different height. Ref. 600 measures 4.8 mm. compared to 5.8 mm. of ref. 600/1, caused by the applied ruby-set numerals and the enamel dial which is thicker than the standard metal one.

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