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Lot Essay
A highly impressive and attractive example of Patek Philippe’s minute repeating split-seconds chronograph with Breguet numerals and hands, the present watch represents the state-of-the-art in watch manufacturing from the heyday of complicated and ultra complicated timepieces. Uniting two main complications established at that time, the split-seconds chronograph for dual timing purposes and minute repeating for pleasing acoustic time reading, it is furthermore enhanced by the superior quality case, highly jewelled movement and stunning white enamel dial with 60-minute chronograph register and unusual 12-hour register with Arabic numerals. Moreover it is preserved in excellent overall condition.
The movement is, as expected, of superb quality, and in common with most complicated Patek Philippe watches of the period, the ébauche would have been supplied by Victorin Piguet & Fils. During the first half of the 20th century, the renowned firm supplied most of the ébauches for complicated movements, including tourbillons, single button and split seconds chronographs, repeaters and perpetual calendars, exclusively to prestigious firms like Patek Philippe and Breguet. Patek Philippe launched the production of minute repeating split seconds chronograph in the late 1870s. The combination of these two complications became one of the firm’s specialities, a large number of the production was sold to the North American market.
The extensive engraved presentation inscription on the case back of this watch records that is was presented to Fred M. Stein in appreciation of many years loyal service, from the directors of The Molybdenum Corp. of America, April 1, 1949.
The Molybdenum Corporation of America was established as a subsidiary of the Electric Reduction Company in 1919 and started molybdenum ore mining at Questa, New Mexico. In 1950, the Molybdenum Corporation of America bought the Mountain Pass mining claims, and began production in 1952. It changed its name to Molycorp in 1974. The corporation was acquired by Union Oil in 1977, which in turn became part of Chevron Corporation in 2005. In 2007, Molycorp Inc. was merged with the Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Co. to form Chevron Mining Inc.
Literature:
Patek Philippe's 1902 Patent for a split seconds chronograph feature is published in: Patek Philippe Pocket Watches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first edition, page 58, fig. 51.
The movement is, as expected, of superb quality, and in common with most complicated Patek Philippe watches of the period, the ébauche would have been supplied by Victorin Piguet & Fils. During the first half of the 20th century, the renowned firm supplied most of the ébauches for complicated movements, including tourbillons, single button and split seconds chronographs, repeaters and perpetual calendars, exclusively to prestigious firms like Patek Philippe and Breguet. Patek Philippe launched the production of minute repeating split seconds chronograph in the late 1870s. The combination of these two complications became one of the firm’s specialities, a large number of the production was sold to the North American market.
The extensive engraved presentation inscription on the case back of this watch records that is was presented to Fred M. Stein in appreciation of many years loyal service, from the directors of The Molybdenum Corp. of America, April 1, 1949.
The Molybdenum Corporation of America was established as a subsidiary of the Electric Reduction Company in 1919 and started molybdenum ore mining at Questa, New Mexico. In 1950, the Molybdenum Corporation of America bought the Mountain Pass mining claims, and began production in 1952. It changed its name to Molycorp in 1974. The corporation was acquired by Union Oil in 1977, which in turn became part of Chevron Corporation in 2005. In 2007, Molycorp Inc. was merged with the Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Co. to form Chevron Mining Inc.
Literature:
Patek Philippe's 1902 Patent for a split seconds chronograph feature is published in: Patek Philippe Pocket Watches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first edition, page 58, fig. 51.