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Lot Essay
This exceptional and fascinating timepiece was supplied by Patek Philippe as a special order via the prestigious Indianapolis jewellers Julius C. Walk. It is highly unusual in being a high precision minute repeating perpetual calendar watch with power reserve indication, to the best of our knowledge no other watch with this exact combination of complications and dial configuration is known publicly. Its construction and design exhibits the traits that the great American collectors particularly appreciated. Interestingly, several of the legendary high precision watches made for James Ward Packard have movement numbers in the 174’*** range close to the present watch. The sophisticated case with concealed hinge is inlaid with the platinum initials of the original owner into the back cover, a detail which is fully confirmed by the Extract from the Archives. Complicated Patek Philippe watches such as this with minute repeating and perpetual calendar 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.
This watch, no. 174'938, with minute repeating and perpetual calendar is not only complicated, but can also be considered to be a high precision watch. Close inspection reveals that the movement is engraved twice with the movement number, this is a detail that indicates that the movement was originally destined for participation in Observatory Timing Contests. The high precision nature of the movement is further underlined by the use of the Guillaume balance with gold and platinum screws, constructed on the principles of Dr. Charles Guillaume's invention, a feature that again was usually reserved for watches intended for Observatory competition. Complicated watches were rarely entered into timing contests because the additional integrated mechanisms necessary to operate the complications could have a slightly adverse effect on timekeeping. Therefore, a complicated watch that was considered capable of attaining Observatory standard would have been regarded as extremely special.
Fresh to the market after many years in one of the world’s great collections, the present watch combines provenance with the highest standard of watchmaking, great aesthetics and classic complications. As such, it would make a superb addition to any serious watch collection.
Julius C. Walk & Son
Indiana jeweller, Julius C. Walk, exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition. The company sold fine diamonds and watches, sterling silverware, French clocks, and other luxury goods.
This watch, no. 174'938, with minute repeating and perpetual calendar is not only complicated, but can also be considered to be a high precision watch. Close inspection reveals that the movement is engraved twice with the movement number, this is a detail that indicates that the movement was originally destined for participation in Observatory Timing Contests. The high precision nature of the movement is further underlined by the use of the Guillaume balance with gold and platinum screws, constructed on the principles of Dr. Charles Guillaume's invention, a feature that again was usually reserved for watches intended for Observatory competition. Complicated watches were rarely entered into timing contests because the additional integrated mechanisms necessary to operate the complications could have a slightly adverse effect on timekeeping. Therefore, a complicated watch that was considered capable of attaining Observatory standard would have been regarded as extremely special.
Fresh to the market after many years in one of the world’s great collections, the present watch combines provenance with the highest standard of watchmaking, great aesthetics and classic complications. As such, it would make a superb addition to any serious watch collection.
Julius C. Walk & Son
Indiana jeweller, Julius C. Walk, exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition. The company sold fine diamonds and watches, sterling silverware, French clocks, and other luxury goods.