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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present clock with the theme Flamingos in 1987 and its subsequent sale on June 2nd of the following year.
Further accompanied by the Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, sold by Magasin Patek Philippe, Genevé 2nd June, 1988, red leather presentation box and outer packaging.
To the best of our knowledge this clock has never before been offered in public.
Patek Philippe opened its Electronic Division in 1948 with the goal of exploring photoelectric, electronic, and nuclear timekeeping. The department produced the groundbreaking solar clock, the first of its kind. The first dome clocks produced in the 1950's and 1960's came with a mechanical caliber 17''' pocket watch movement, wound by an electric winding device.
In 1955, the solar-powered photoelectric clocks were exhibited at the 1955 World Symposium, and displayed at the Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts. In the 1970's, Patek Philippe began using quartz technology in its clock production, and began phasing out the use of solar versions. These "Dome" clocks are highly collectable, and often feature a unique and individually decorated case, featuring cloisonné enamel scenes. These clocks also feature a circular brass dial, engraved Roman hour markers, lighter skeleton hands that replaced the heavier "Dauphine" hands featured on earlier clocks with mechanical movements.
Towards the end of the 1940's, the Swiss watchmaking industry began using the technique of cloisonné enamel. This technique uses fine bands (filaments) of gold or copper to outline the design subject, which are then soldered to the surface of a plate. The empty spaces are then filled with ground enamel and fired multiple times so that the surface becomes perfectly level.
The enamel scenes often depict themes such as flower and nature, animals, scenes of Geneva, and many others. The theme of birds has appeared on several clocks, featuring birds of night, magpies, hummingbirds, and birds of paradise. The present dome clock, coming from the original family, features a charming scene of flamingoes in water and in flight.
Further accompanied by the Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, sold by Magasin Patek Philippe, Genevé 2nd June, 1988, red leather presentation box and outer packaging.
To the best of our knowledge this clock has never before been offered in public.
Patek Philippe opened its Electronic Division in 1948 with the goal of exploring photoelectric, electronic, and nuclear timekeeping. The department produced the groundbreaking solar clock, the first of its kind. The first dome clocks produced in the 1950's and 1960's came with a mechanical caliber 17''' pocket watch movement, wound by an electric winding device.
In 1955, the solar-powered photoelectric clocks were exhibited at the 1955 World Symposium, and displayed at the Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts. In the 1970's, Patek Philippe began using quartz technology in its clock production, and began phasing out the use of solar versions. These "Dome" clocks are highly collectable, and often feature a unique and individually decorated case, featuring cloisonné enamel scenes. These clocks also feature a circular brass dial, engraved Roman hour markers, lighter skeleton hands that replaced the heavier "Dauphine" hands featured on earlier clocks with mechanical movements.
Towards the end of the 1940's, the Swiss watchmaking industry began using the technique of cloisonné enamel. This technique uses fine bands (filaments) of gold or copper to outline the design subject, which are then soldered to the surface of a plate. The empty spaces are then filled with ground enamel and fired multiple times so that the surface becomes perfectly level.
The enamel scenes often depict themes such as flower and nature, animals, scenes of Geneva, and many others. The theme of birds has appeared on several clocks, featuring birds of night, magpies, hummingbirds, and birds of paradise. The present dome clock, coming from the original family, features a charming scene of flamingoes in water and in flight.