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Lot 464The Property of a North American Private Collector
PATEK PHILIPPE, SILVER AND 14K GOLD PLATED HUNTER CASE KEYLESS CYLINDER POCKET WATCH
MOVEMENT & CASE NO. 68’162
Closed18 May 2021
Price Realised
CHF 7,500
More Information
Specialist note
A fascinating rarity for collectors, this highly attractive, possibly unique silver and 14K gold-plated watch is one of the exceedingly rare examples of such watch to appear in public to date.
The decoration of the case is of major interest in both the history of Patek Philippe and the study of 19th century metalworking techniques. The front and back are finely engraved and partly gilded with the process of silver gilding, all confirmed by the Extract from the Archives.
This decorative process was rarely used even at the time and creates an illusion of depth. It was done by first protecting the background, then gilding by chemical oxidation to leave the gilded highlights.
A watch decorated with the same technique is illustrated in: Patek Philippe Watches, Vol.1, Patek Philippe Museum, 2013, p. 129.
The decoration of the case is of major interest in both the history of Patek Philippe and the study of 19th century metalworking techniques. The front and back are finely engraved and partly gilded with the process of silver gilding, all confirmed by the Extract from the Archives.
This decorative process was rarely used even at the time and creates an illusion of depth. It was done by first protecting the background, then gilding by chemical oxidation to leave the gilded highlights.
A watch decorated with the same technique is illustrated in: Patek Philippe Watches, Vol.1, Patek Philippe Museum, 2013, p. 129.