The following four watches, amongst which two are part of Patek Philippe's famous "Ricochet" line of asymmetrical watches, were created for Patek Philippe by the highly talented designer and jeweller Gilbert Albert. Many of these avant-garde creations never went above the prototype stage, most certainly due to the uncertain commercial success of the revolutionary design. Gilbert Albert was born in Geneva in 1930. After studying Jewellery and Designing at Geneva's Ecole des Arts Industriels, he joined Patek Philippe as designer and head of the workshop. During the seven years with the celebrated manufacturer, he created the firm's most daring designs, most notably the asymmetrical models from the celebrated "Ricochet" series. Gilbert Albert took his inspiration from his passion for modern art, notably works by Brancusi and Mondrian, and his daring and unconventional case designs are considered as cutting-edge today as they were 50 years ago. His outstanding creations gained the prestigious 'Oscar' award at the Diamonds International Awards no less than ten times, three for Patek Philippe, two for Omega and five times under his own name. In 1962 he opened his own workshop in Geneva, specializing in the design and manufacture of unique jewels and objects. Gilbert Albert handles material in a supreme manner, shaping precious metal and mixing rare stones in an unconventional blend made of dreams, delicacy and magic. Over the years, Albert's work has been exhibited around the world from London to Tokyo, Johannesburg to New York. In 1991 he was the first living artist since 1917 to be invited to show his creations in the Moscow Kremlin. Every year, Gilbert Albert launches new creations such as "Scarabées et Bijoux", "Les Bijoux de la Nature", "Météorites et Bijoux", "Les Joyaux de la Mer", "Les Porcelaines de la Nature", "Les Uniques", "Les Joyaux Coralliens", the shapes combined with the materials used paying tribute to his genius.

Patek Philippe. A very fine and extremely rare, probably unique, 18K gold and baroque pearl-set pendant watch with concealed dial and three color gold and pearls necklace, designed by Gilbert Albert

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENÈVE, "LES JOYAUX DE LA MER" COLLECTION BY GILBERT ALBERT, REF. 3266/53, MOVEMENT NO. 981'233, CASE NO. 2'616'524, MADE IN 1961

Details

Patek Philippe. A very fine and extremely rare, probably unique, 18K gold and baroque pearl-set pendant watch with concealed dial and three color gold and pearls necklace, designed by Gilbert Albert
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, "Les joyaux de la mer" collection by Gilbert Albert, ref. 3266/53, movement no. 981'233, case no. 2'616'524, made in 1961
Cal. 13,5 mechanical lever movement stamped with the Geneva seal, 20 jewels, Gyromax balance, silvered dial, applied gold baton numerals, gold baton hands, spring loaded hinged front cover set with a large pearl, hinged case, corail branch form chased gold links necklace set with pearls, case, dial and movement signed
410 mm. overall lenght

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Lot Essay

With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present pendant watch with long necklace in vari-colour gold and set with 19 pearls in 1961 and its subsequent sale on 29 May the same year.

It is interesting to note that a bracelet watch with concealed dial, using similar elements of design, was previously sold in our saleroom on 18 May 2004, lot 41.

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