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Lot Essay
Manufacture of reference 425 was launched in 1934 and remained in production until 1960 when it was replaced by the slightly larger reference 2461. Together with the legendary Calatrava reference 96 it was one of Patek Philippe's most popular wristwatches, its typical Art Deco architectural design serving as inspiration for the firm's other rectangular models of the time. It was fitted with the celebrated rectangular-shaped caliber 9-90, Patek Philippe’s finest non-circular movement of the period. The present model further impresses with its striking diamond-set hour markers.
The caseback of the present watch is engraved;
AL SR. BEN MEYER, RECUERDO DEL MAYOR GENERAL, FULGENCIO BATISTA, PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE CUBA, FEB. 1954
Translated to English as;
AL SR. BEN MEYER, IN MEMORY OF THE MAYOR GENERAL, FULGENCIO BATISTA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA, FEB. 1954
Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar, born Rubén Zaldívar, (January 16, 1901 – August 6, 1973)
Fulgencio Batista, originally born Rubén Fulgencio Batista Zaldívar, remains one of Cuba’s most well-known political figures. The son of impoverished farmers, Batista joined the army as a sergeant. Eleven years later he had gained enough popularity to successfully organize students, labor leaders, as well as fellow officers into a revolt against Cuban dictator, Gerardo Machado. When Machado’s reign toppled, Batista became the most powerful man in Cuba and in 1940 he was elected president. His reign was relatively stable, with strong economic growth, an emphasis on public works projects, and the expansion of the education system. In 1944, Batista lost the presidential election and stepped down gracefully, moving to Florida with his wife and living quietly until 1952. By 1952, Cuba’s government had, once again, fallen deeply into corruption and Batista saw this as his opportunity to regain control.
While Batista’s second reign was a golden age for tourism in Cuba, conditions for Cuban citizens outside of Havana were not as impressive. The gap between the rich and poor widened as government corruption increased. As Batista repeatedly delayed plans to step down from office, he faced growing opposition from the Cuban people. Faced with the rise of the rebel forces led by Fidel Castro, Batista and his wife decided to flee Cuba in 1959 before settling in Portugal.
The present watch is thought to have been offered from Batista in 1954 to Associated Press journalist, Ben Meyer, who published many news stories during his long time as a U.S. correspondent and Bureau Chief in Habana, Cuba. No doubt Meyer and Batista spent much time together during Batista's reign and since the caseback reads, 'in memory of...,' is likely that this watch was given with an underlying sarcastic tone, perhaps at a time when Batista was planning to step down from office. Once referring to Batista as "Cuba's resurgant strong man," the extent of the relationship the U.S. press agent and Cuba's second time reigning president is not known, however, the gift of such a thoughtful timepiece with a joke engraved on its back shows that they were certainly close friends and no doubt relied on each other in a what can only be described as a turbulent time for relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
The caseback of the present watch is engraved;
AL SR. BEN MEYER, RECUERDO DEL MAYOR GENERAL, FULGENCIO BATISTA, PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE CUBA, FEB. 1954
Translated to English as;
AL SR. BEN MEYER, IN MEMORY OF THE MAYOR GENERAL, FULGENCIO BATISTA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA, FEB. 1954
Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar, born Rubén Zaldívar, (January 16, 1901 – August 6, 1973)
Fulgencio Batista, originally born Rubén Fulgencio Batista Zaldívar, remains one of Cuba’s most well-known political figures. The son of impoverished farmers, Batista joined the army as a sergeant. Eleven years later he had gained enough popularity to successfully organize students, labor leaders, as well as fellow officers into a revolt against Cuban dictator, Gerardo Machado. When Machado’s reign toppled, Batista became the most powerful man in Cuba and in 1940 he was elected president. His reign was relatively stable, with strong economic growth, an emphasis on public works projects, and the expansion of the education system. In 1944, Batista lost the presidential election and stepped down gracefully, moving to Florida with his wife and living quietly until 1952. By 1952, Cuba’s government had, once again, fallen deeply into corruption and Batista saw this as his opportunity to regain control.
While Batista’s second reign was a golden age for tourism in Cuba, conditions for Cuban citizens outside of Havana were not as impressive. The gap between the rich and poor widened as government corruption increased. As Batista repeatedly delayed plans to step down from office, he faced growing opposition from the Cuban people. Faced with the rise of the rebel forces led by Fidel Castro, Batista and his wife decided to flee Cuba in 1959 before settling in Portugal.
The present watch is thought to have been offered from Batista in 1954 to Associated Press journalist, Ben Meyer, who published many news stories during his long time as a U.S. correspondent and Bureau Chief in Habana, Cuba. No doubt Meyer and Batista spent much time together during Batista's reign and since the caseback reads, 'in memory of...,' is likely that this watch was given with an underlying sarcastic tone, perhaps at a time when Batista was planning to step down from office. Once referring to Batista as "Cuba's resurgant strong man," the extent of the relationship the U.S. press agent and Cuba's second time reigning president is not known, however, the gift of such a thoughtful timepiece with a joke engraved on its back shows that they were certainly close friends and no doubt relied on each other in a what can only be described as a turbulent time for relations between the U.S. and Cuba.