MANUFACTURED IN 1922

Even in a world where the wristwatch reigns supreme, complicated pocket watches particularly those made by Patek Philippe remain a source of fascination. The quest for timekeeping accuracy and technical complexity backed up by incredible mathematical and mechanical genius is how Patek Philippe built and cemented its reputation as the ultimate watchmaking house from the late 19th century to the present day.

A “Grand Complication” is considered the pinnacle of traditional watchmaking. The combination of minute repeating, split-seconds chronograph, and a perpetual calendar with moon phases is considered the classic ‘triple crown’ of watchmaking and Patek Philippe’s executions of these masterpieces of micromechanics from the early 20th century are considered to be among the best ever made. The grand complication was the watch of choice for the most discerning and most affluent in the world.


Timepieces such as the present watch with complications including minute repeating, perpetual calendar and split seconds chronograph were true marvels of the age, often taking months or even years to complete they cost a small fortune, then as now Patek Philippe watches were coveted trophies, the ownership of which conveyed an individual’s good taste and success to other cognoscenti.

Another Patek Philippe “Triple-complication” pocket watch is described and illustrated in Patek Philippe My Dream Collection by Ali Nael, April 2021 Edition, p. 110-113