Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with black embossed ornament dial in 1999 and its subsequent sale on 28 May 1999.
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Alessandro Grassi (1942-2009)
The untimely passing of Alessandro Grassi in November 2009 was a great loss to the international art and collecting market. He was a generous patron, a refined collector and a passionate of art in all its expressions, painting, photography, watches, textiles, cooking and many more.
He was always driven by his own taste, by his choices and by an intense emotional contact with the artist and the work of art.
Alessandro Grassi made several trips to New York, London and Berlin to visit the young artists and observe them while working in their work-shops.
During his life, he personally met and collected paintings by the most important artists of the XX century such as Andy Wharol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alighiero Boetti, Gino De Dominicis, Andreas Gursky, Richard Prince, Gerhard Richter, Julian Schnabel and Cy Twombly, to name just a few.
In his role as a patron, he sustained several young international artists of less fame allowing them to travel and show their works of art around the world. Some prestigious Italian Contemporary art institutions were also under his patronage.
During his life, Alessandro Grassi gave hundreds of paintings and installations on permanent loan to the MART. The majority of these works of art were, following his passing and specifically according to his last will, donated to MART in Rovereto and to the Centre Pecci in Prato.
In 2004, as a sign of recognition, the MART organized a vast exhibition of works of art from his collection to do homage to his contribution to the art world as a patron and as a collector.
In his role as a watch collector he followed the same path and always bought and chose the watches following his personal taste and desire; he never followed the trends of the moment.
All the watches were exhibited in his house in show cases with special lighting which showed his intense desire to live in continuous contact with them and enjoy them every day.
He was a regular customer of the prestigious Orologeria Verga in Milan but he also enjoyed travelling to Switzerland to visit and establish personal contact with the watch manufactures.
Every acquisition was a result of a precise choice and a strong emotion. He was looking for the elegance of the design, the complexity of the mechanism and the innovation of the product.
Christie's is honored to have been entrusted with the sale of the watch collection of such a prominent personality and generous patron.
Please note that Part II will be auctioned at Christie's Geneva in May 2013.
Patek Philippe. A fine 18K gold automatic cushion-shaped wristwatch with date and sweep centre seconds
SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENÈVE, AQUANAUT MODEL, REF. 5065, MOVEMENT NO. 3'011'392, CASE NO. 4'081'918, MANUFACTURED IN 1999
Details
Patek Philippe. A fine 18K gold automatic cushion-shaped wristwatch with date and sweep centre seconds
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, Aquanaut Model, ref. 5065, movement no. 3'011'392, case no. 4'081'918, manufactured in 1999
Cal. 315 SC automatic movement stamped with the Geneva Seal, 33 jewels, gold rotor, black textured dial, applied brushed gold Arabic numerals, outer luminous baton numerals, luminous hands, sweep centre seconds, window for date, cushion-shaped water-resistant-type case, glazed display screw-down back, 18K gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp, case, dial and movement signed
38 mm. diam.
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, Aquanaut Model, ref. 5065, movement no. 3'011'392, case no. 4'081'918, manufactured in 1999
Cal. 315 SC automatic movement stamped with the Geneva Seal, 33 jewels, gold rotor, black textured dial, applied brushed gold Arabic numerals, outer luminous baton numerals, luminous hands, sweep centre seconds, window for date, cushion-shaped water-resistant-type case, glazed display screw-down back, 18K gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp, case, dial and movement signed
38 mm. diam.
Brought to you by
Dr. Nathalie Monbaron
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