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拍品专文
Never offered in public before, the present watch may well be the best preserved and most complete Patek Philippe minute repeating precision watch ever to be offered at auction. Its condition is without exaggeration, simply extraordinary. A watch made in 1882 that is virtually “as new” with utterly crisp case, dial and movement. This, coupled with the survival not only of the original box and fittings but the original Certificates and a fascinating full description of the watch sent to and approved by the named and illustrious client adds up to a collector’s dream piece, an almost unheard of discovery.
It was ordered from Patek Philippe in Geneva by the Portuguese Consul in Nice, Fernand Lagarrigue in 1882 when it is recorded that he paid a deposit of 500 Francs on 14 December. The watch was completed and delivered on 14th August 1883 as confirmed by the Extract from the Archives, however, Monsieur Lagarrigue was given credit, his final payment to be made “4 Semaines après réception de la montre”, which indeed was on 14 September 1883 as confirmed by the Certificate of Origin and sales receipt. The total price of the watch was 1'800 Francs plus 20 Francs for the repair of another watch at 5 Francs and the setting of a ring at 15 Francs.
Fernand Lagarrigue was evidently a highly particular client of Patek Philippe and required his watch to be fully personalized as much as possible. The amount of specific detail and attention given to him by the company during the period from initial order to delivery shows the level of client service that has built Patek Philippe’s formidable reputation to this day. The original sales receipt naturally records the watch in full detail and also confirms the engraving of the case on both sides with the initials “FL”, the wooden box with key and the Bulletin d’Observatoire stated as 1st Class.
It is highly unusual for a watch with any complication such as minute repeating to be sent for an Observatory trial for which very high standards of precision are required. Due to additional complications, the actions of the complications themselves can have an adverse effect on the watch’s timekeeping abilities. Therefore, it can be said that a watch with complications such as minute repeating having successfully passed an Observatory trial is even more remarkable.
The ébauche of the present watch was almost certainly supplied by Victorin Piguet, the movement was regulated for chronometer trial at the Observatory of Geneva in 1883 by the régleur Monsieur A. Hoffer. The watch was entered into the pocket chronometer “Category A” and tested between the 15 April and 30 May 1883 following which it was awarded chronometer certification. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the régleurs or adjusters were the “stars” of the watchmaking industry when the quest for precision was an overriding priority for the manufacturers. Success in Observatory trials directly conferred reputation and prestige on the brand and therefore greater commercial success. Patek Philippe, as expected, employed some of the very best régleurs including Charles Batifolier, Jules Golay-Audemars and François Modoux, all of whom had near celebrity status in the watchmaking world.
A most fascinating document included with the present watch is the two-page hand-written client proposal sent by Patek Philippe in Geneva to Monsieur le Commandeur Fernand Lagarrigue, Consul de Portugal at 54 Rue Gioffredo in Nice on 24 January 1883. This document describes the present watch in extreme detail, its technical features, all accessories to be included, expected date of completion and agreed price.
This minute repeating watch of rare certified chronometer standard complete with so much original documentation and in wonderful condition can truly be described as remarkable.
It was ordered from Patek Philippe in Geneva by the Portuguese Consul in Nice, Fernand Lagarrigue in 1882 when it is recorded that he paid a deposit of 500 Francs on 14 December. The watch was completed and delivered on 14th August 1883 as confirmed by the Extract from the Archives, however, Monsieur Lagarrigue was given credit, his final payment to be made “4 Semaines après réception de la montre”, which indeed was on 14 September 1883 as confirmed by the Certificate of Origin and sales receipt. The total price of the watch was 1'800 Francs plus 20 Francs for the repair of another watch at 5 Francs and the setting of a ring at 15 Francs.
Fernand Lagarrigue was evidently a highly particular client of Patek Philippe and required his watch to be fully personalized as much as possible. The amount of specific detail and attention given to him by the company during the period from initial order to delivery shows the level of client service that has built Patek Philippe’s formidable reputation to this day. The original sales receipt naturally records the watch in full detail and also confirms the engraving of the case on both sides with the initials “FL”, the wooden box with key and the Bulletin d’Observatoire stated as 1st Class.
It is highly unusual for a watch with any complication such as minute repeating to be sent for an Observatory trial for which very high standards of precision are required. Due to additional complications, the actions of the complications themselves can have an adverse effect on the watch’s timekeeping abilities. Therefore, it can be said that a watch with complications such as minute repeating having successfully passed an Observatory trial is even more remarkable.
The ébauche of the present watch was almost certainly supplied by Victorin Piguet, the movement was regulated for chronometer trial at the Observatory of Geneva in 1883 by the régleur Monsieur A. Hoffer. The watch was entered into the pocket chronometer “Category A” and tested between the 15 April and 30 May 1883 following which it was awarded chronometer certification. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the régleurs or adjusters were the “stars” of the watchmaking industry when the quest for precision was an overriding priority for the manufacturers. Success in Observatory trials directly conferred reputation and prestige on the brand and therefore greater commercial success. Patek Philippe, as expected, employed some of the very best régleurs including Charles Batifolier, Jules Golay-Audemars and François Modoux, all of whom had near celebrity status in the watchmaking world.
A most fascinating document included with the present watch is the two-page hand-written client proposal sent by Patek Philippe in Geneva to Monsieur le Commandeur Fernand Lagarrigue, Consul de Portugal at 54 Rue Gioffredo in Nice on 24 January 1883. This document describes the present watch in extreme detail, its technical features, all accessories to be included, expected date of completion and agreed price.
This minute repeating watch of rare certified chronometer standard complete with so much original documentation and in wonderful condition can truly be described as remarkable.