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Lot Essay
This exceptionally rare and ravishing Belle Époque watch can be considered one of Patek Philippe’s best artistic creations from the early 20th century. Consigned from an old European family collection it was until its recent discovery completely unknown publically.
Exuding quality and delicate ethereal beauty, it is an archetypal piece of Belle Époque haute joaillerie as well as its rarity as among Patek Philippe jewellery watches. Furthermore, it has a fully signed and numbered case.
No other publically known watch by Patek Philippe has, to the best of our knowledge, crystal reverse intaglio decoration. A small oval case back depicting a single classical female figure, now converted to a brooch, is in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
Confirmed by the Extract from the Archives, the “crystal-cut scene over enamel” depicts three ladies bathing in a woodland pool, a scene which may represent Venus bathing, inspired by an earlier depiction in art. Further confirmed by the Extract from the Archives is the silvered dial with hard black enamel Breguet numerals and “natté” pattern centre, French for “plaited” or “basketweave”.
The chief glory of this watch is of course its platinum case set with old-cut diamonds and lustrous pearls designed as a complete entity with the brooch it is suspended from. It is further enhanced by the three larger circular diamonds which serve to draw the eye towards the exquisitely rendered miniature crystal reverse intaglio scene.
The technique of reverse intaglio was established by Émile Marius Pradier, of Belgium around 1860. These incredible works of art in miniature were engraved in reverse by hand with soft steel tools using a paste made of diamond dust mixed with oil, a very labour intensive and time consuming process.
Exuding quality and delicate ethereal beauty, it is an archetypal piece of Belle Époque haute joaillerie as well as its rarity as among Patek Philippe jewellery watches. Furthermore, it has a fully signed and numbered case.
No other publically known watch by Patek Philippe has, to the best of our knowledge, crystal reverse intaglio decoration. A small oval case back depicting a single classical female figure, now converted to a brooch, is in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
Confirmed by the Extract from the Archives, the “crystal-cut scene over enamel” depicts three ladies bathing in a woodland pool, a scene which may represent Venus bathing, inspired by an earlier depiction in art. Further confirmed by the Extract from the Archives is the silvered dial with hard black enamel Breguet numerals and “natté” pattern centre, French for “plaited” or “basketweave”.
The chief glory of this watch is of course its platinum case set with old-cut diamonds and lustrous pearls designed as a complete entity with the brooch it is suspended from. It is further enhanced by the three larger circular diamonds which serve to draw the eye towards the exquisitely rendered miniature crystal reverse intaglio scene.
The technique of reverse intaglio was established by Émile Marius Pradier, of Belgium around 1860. These incredible works of art in miniature were engraved in reverse by hand with soft steel tools using a paste made of diamond dust mixed with oil, a very labour intensive and time consuming process.