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Lot Essay
Consigned by an important collector, the present watch can be described as exceptional on every level, showcasing Swiss watchmaking at its very best. Not only is it a First Prize winning tourbillon, it is also of large size and beautifully preserved in almost untouched condition. The silvered dial with Breguet numerals is simply stunning as is the movement of this top-flight high precision watch.
Patek Philippe’s early 20th century tourbillon watches for Observatory Contest are by their very nature among the very best precision timepieces ever made. Their prime purpose was to win prizes and accolades at the Observatory timing contests. The prestige conferred by obtaining consistent Observatory prizes was considerable, as a result, the company’s proven track record in making and adjusting watches to extremely fine tolerances resulted in greater commercial success for the brand as a whole.
According to the Extract from the Archives from Patek Philippe, the present watch was awarded First Prize during the pocket watch contest in 1932. Patek Philippe movements when destined for participation in Observatory Timing Contests were engraved with the movement number twice. Competition watches such as this were finished to the highest standards and were usually, like the present watch, fitted with a Guillaume balance with gold and platinum screws.
The tourbillon watch with the preceding number to the present watch, No. 198'431, formerly in the collection of Esmond Bradley Martin, also a First Prize winner at the Geneva Observatory in 1932, was sold at Christie’s New York, 8th December 2003, lot 127.
Patek Philippe’s early 20th century tourbillon watches for Observatory Contest are by their very nature among the very best precision timepieces ever made. Their prime purpose was to win prizes and accolades at the Observatory timing contests. The prestige conferred by obtaining consistent Observatory prizes was considerable, as a result, the company’s proven track record in making and adjusting watches to extremely fine tolerances resulted in greater commercial success for the brand as a whole.
According to the Extract from the Archives from Patek Philippe, the present watch was awarded First Prize during the pocket watch contest in 1932. Patek Philippe movements when destined for participation in Observatory Timing Contests were engraved with the movement number twice. Competition watches such as this were finished to the highest standards and were usually, like the present watch, fitted with a Guillaume balance with gold and platinum screws.
The tourbillon watch with the preceding number to the present watch, No. 198'431, formerly in the collection of Esmond Bradley Martin, also a First Prize winner at the Geneva Observatory in 1932, was sold at Christie’s New York, 8th December 2003, lot 127.