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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with enamel dial and Roman figures in 1888 and its subsequent sale on 7 September 1891.
The unique combination of a silver case and the two-train independent dead seconds mechanism, both rarities by themselves, render this watch a highly attractive collector's timepiece. It is furthermore interesting to note that the present watch was manufactured as early as 1885 - four years before Adrien Philippe's patent for an independent dead seconds mechanism.
The independent dead seconds mechanism requires two going trains, one for the movement and one for the sweep centre seconds hand, allowing it to be stopped without stopping the main train in order not to interfere with the accuracy of timekeeping. The invention of this mechanism is attributed to Moise Pouzait, Geneva 1776.
Adrien Philippe's independent dead seconds mechanism (Swiss patent No. 1017 of 23 May 1889, illustrated and described in Patek Philippe by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, p. 53) varies completely from Pouzait's design. Moving the seconds train over the centre bridge created more space, thus allowing a larger balance resulting in better timekeeping.
The unique combination of a silver case and the two-train independent dead seconds mechanism, both rarities by themselves, render this watch a highly attractive collector's timepiece. It is furthermore interesting to note that the present watch was manufactured as early as 1885 - four years before Adrien Philippe's patent for an independent dead seconds mechanism.
The independent dead seconds mechanism requires two going trains, one for the movement and one for the sweep centre seconds hand, allowing it to be stopped without stopping the main train in order not to interfere with the accuracy of timekeeping. The invention of this mechanism is attributed to Moise Pouzait, Geneva 1776.
Adrien Philippe's independent dead seconds mechanism (Swiss patent No. 1017 of 23 May 1889, illustrated and described in Patek Philippe by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, p. 53) varies completely from Pouzait's design. Moving the seconds train over the centre bridge created more space, thus allowing a larger balance resulting in better timekeeping.